Superior laryngeal nerve block: An anatomical study comparing two techniques

Abstract

Study Objective: To determine whether an anterior approach is as successful as the conventional posterior approach to superior laryngeal nerve block.Design: Prospective observational study.Setting: University anatomy laboratory.Patients: 20 formalin-fixed adult human cadavers.Measurements: Simulated superior laryngeal nerve blocks were performed by a single operator using 3mL of 0.01%analine blue dyewith a 23-gauge Quincke tip needle. Two different landmark techniqueswere used on each undissected cadaver: 1) the conventional posterior approach using the hyoid bone as a palpable landmark, with injection at the posterior third of the thyrohyoid membrane; and 2) the anterior approach, using the..