Suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block to reduce pain and shorten hospital stay after cleft palate repair in children
Length of Hospital Stay and Postoperative Analgesic Requirements After Introduction of a Specific Maxillary Nerve Block in Children Undergoing Cleft Palate Surgery: a Before-and-after Chart Review Study
This project tries a suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block in children having cleft palate repair to see if they need less morphine and can go home sooner.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Months to 15 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Karolinska Institutet Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Stockholm) |
| Trial ID | NCT07279883 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a retrospective before-and-after chart review of children aged 3 months to 15 years who underwent cleft palate repair at Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital during 2017–2018. The project compares outcomes from the period using standard systemic analgesia alone with the period after routine introduction of the suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block (SZMNB). Key outcomes include postoperative morphine requirements, opioid-related side effects, and length of hospital stay. The original evaluation began in 2018 but was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and is based on available perioperative and discharge records.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Children aged 3 months to 15 years who underwent cleft palate (LKG) surgery at the Karolinska center and have complete perioperative and discharge records are the ideal candidates for inclusion.
Not a fit: Patients outside the 3 months–15 years age range, those who did not receive the block or standard analgesia per protocol, or those with incomplete medical records are unlikely to be represented or benefit from the findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, routine use of the nerve block could reduce opioid use and opioid-related side effects and enable earlier discharge after cleft palate repair.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies and case series have reported that the suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block is a safe and effective method for analgesia in pediatric cleft palate and related procedures, so this project is a local before-and-after evaluation rather than a novel first test.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
criteria for participating in the study * children aged 3 months to 15 years. * Underwent cleft palate (LKG) surgery between 2017-2018. * Available and complete medical records including perioperative notes, anesthesia documentation, and discharge summaries. * Received either standard systemic analgesia alone (2017) or standard analgesia plus suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block (SZMNB) (2018). Exclusion Criteria: not fulfilling inclusion cirteria \-
Where this trial is running
Stockholm
- Stockholm, Sweden (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Märit Lundblad, MD PhD — Karolinska Institutet
- Study coordinator: Jacob KarlssonM, MD PhD
- Email: jacob.karlsson.1@ki.se
- Phone: +460812370000
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.