E#ect of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block on Hemodynamic Changes during Endotracheal Intubation

32 patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into 2 groups. 15 patients received bilateral superior laryngeal nerve block SLNB prior to the induction of general anesthesia Group B , and the other 17 patients did not Control: Group C . After induction of anesthesia with 2.0 mg kg of propofol and 0.2 mg kg of vecuronium, tracheal intubation was performed using a direct laryngoscope. Systolic blood pressure SBP and heart rate HR were recorded at 6 points pre-induction, after-induction, immediately after intubation, and 1, 3, and 5 min after intubation . In Group C, SBP increased just after intubation compared to baseline values, and was significantly higher than in Group B. HR was significantly elevated just after intubation and 1 min after intubation in Group C, but remained stable for the entire period of the study in Group B. No subjects developed complications such as hematoma in the neck, aspiration or toxic reactions to local anesthetics. The present study demonstrated that SLNB attenuates circulatory responses due to endotracheal intubation using a direct laryngoscope, without minimal complications. This simple and safe method should be acquired by anesthesiologists in addition to traditional methods, to blunt hypertension and tachycardia related to endotracheal intubation.