Head and neck blocks in children

Multiple techniques for postoperative pain control have been successfully described in children undergoing surgical procedures of the head and neck. Most of them are pharmacological modalities that may be associated with adverse side effects. Acetaminophen often cannot provide adequate pain control for most painful procedures. NSAIDs like intravenous Ketorolac are used cautiously by surgeons secondary to the potential increased risk of bleeding. Opioids may predispose children to increased risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, somnolence, and itching. Regional techniques that are described in adult anesthesia can be used in a pediatric practice. In this article, we review the regional blocks of the head and neck that can be used for perioperative pain control in neurosurgery, plastic surgery, or otolaryngology surgeries.