Inferior alveolar nerve blocks for postoperative pain control after mandibular distraction with osteotomies in a neonate

Computerized Surgical Planning for Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis is a technically challenging procedure due to complex mandibular anatomy, especially in the treatment of Pierre-Robin Sequence due to variable bone thickness in the infant mandible and the presence of tooth buds. Computerized surgical planning (CSP) simplifies the procedure by preoperatively visualizing critical structures, producing cutting guides, and planning distractor placement. This paper describes the process of using CSP to plan mandibular distraction osteogenesis, including discussion of recent advances in the use of custom distractors.

Regional anaesthesia in neonates: a narrative review

The benefits of regional anaesthesia and the accompanying concerns of general anaesthesia in newborns make the former a safe and valuable addition. Multiple regional anaesthesia techniques, ranging from the central neuraxial blocks, truncal blocks, and peripheral nerve blocks are available. Empowering us to make the case to case decision to choose the most beneficial and safe block for the neonate. The applications of regional anaesthesia, over the period, have encompassed perioperative analgesia and therapeutic uses. With the addition of ultrasonography, neonatal regional anaesthesia has reached a fine amount of objectivity and accuracy. A trend of utilising regional blocks as the sole anaesthetic as against an adjuvant to general anaesthesia is setting in. In this review, we take a look at recent developments in this field in a generalised manner followed by dwelling into most of the commonly used blocks in daily practice. However, a detailed description of each block is beyond the scope of this review.