Bilateral infraorbital block with 0.5% bupivacaine as post-operative analgesia following cheiloplasty in children

Narcotic Utilization After Cleft Lip Repair: Does Local Anesthetic Choice Matter?

To analyze whether the choice of intraoperative local anesthetic for cleft lip repair is associated with the amount of perioperative narcotic utilization.

Retrospective cohort study.

Hospitals participating in the Pediatric Health Information System.

Primary cleft lip repairs performed in the United States from 2010 to 2020.

Local anesthesia injected-treatment with lidocaine alone, bupivacaine alone, or treatment with both agents.

Perioperative narcotic administration.

During the study interval, 8954 patients underwent primary cleft lip repair. Narcotic utilization for unilateral (P < .001) and bilateral (P = .004) cleft lip repair has decreased over the last 5 years. Overall, 21.8% (n = 1950) of infants were administered perioperative narcotics for cleft lip repair, such that 14.3% (n = 1282) required narcotics on POD 0, and 7.2% (n = 647) required narcotics on POD 1.In this study, 36.5% (n = 3269) patients received lidocaine, 22.0% (n = 1966) patients received bupivacaine, and 19.7% (n = 1762) patients received both local anesthetics. Administration of any perioperative narcotic was significantly lower in patients receiving both lidocaine and bupivacaine than those receiving only lidocaine (P = .001, 17.5% vs 21.7%) or only bupivacaine (P < .001, 17.5% vs 22.9%). Narcotic utilization on the day of surgery was significantly lower in patients receiving both lidocaine and bupivacaine than those receiving only lidocaine (P < .001, 11.5% vs 15.1%) or only bupivacaine (P = .004, 11.5% vs 14.6%). Narcotic utilization on the first postoperative day was significantly lower in patients receiving both lidocaine and bupivacaine than those receiving only bupivacaine (P = .009, 5.9% vs 8.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

In children undergoing cleft lip repair, local anesthetic combination of lidocaine and bupivacaine is associated with decreased perioperative narcotic use compared to lidocaine or bupivacaine alone.

Perioperative Pain Management in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

BACKGROUND

Developing effective strategies to manage perioperative pain remains a focus of cleft care. The present study's purpose was to systematically review perioperative pain control strategies for cleft lip and palate repair.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed. Primary outcomes included pain scale scores and time to analgesia failure. Cohen d normalized effect size permitted comparison between studies, and a fixed-effects model was used for analysis. I2 and Q-statistic p values were calculated.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies were included: eight of 23 studies provided data for meta-analytic comparison. Meta-analyses evaluated the efficacy of intraoperative nerve blocks on postoperative pain management. Meta-analysis included a total of 475 treatment and control patients. Cleft lip studies demonstrated significantly improved pain control with a nerve block versus placebo by means of pain scale scores ( p < 0.001) and time to analgesia failure ( p < 0.001). Measurement of effect size over time demonstrated statistically significant pain relief with local anesthetic. Palatoplasty studies showed significantly improved time to analgesia failure ( p < 0.005) with maxillary and palatal nerve blocks. Multiple studies demonstrated an opioid-sparing effect with the use of local anesthetics and other nonopioid medications. Techniques for nerve blocks in cleft lip and palate surgery are reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

The present systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies demonstrates that intraoperative nerve blocks for cleft lip and palate surgery provide effective pain control. Opioid-sparing effects were appreciated in multiple studies. Intraoperative nerve blocks should be considered in all cases of cleft lip and palate repair to improve postoperative pain management.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, II.

Clonidine as an Adjuvant to Bupivacaine for Suprazygomatic Maxillary Nerve Blocks in Cleft lip and Palate Repair: A Randomized, Prospective, Double-Blind Study

OBJECTIVES

Does clonidine, as adjuvant to bupivacaine for suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks, reduce emergence agitation in patients undergoing cleft lip and cleft palate surgery?

DESIGN

Randomized, controlled, and double-blind study.

SETTING

Guwahati Comprehensive Cleft Care Center, Guwahati (Assam, India).

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 124 patients; with a median age of 5 years in the clonidine group (CLG) and 7 years in the control group (CG), who underwent cleft lip or cleft palate surgery were included. Exclusion criteria included lack of consent from patients or their guardians, allergy to local anesthetics, coagulation disorders, local infection at the puncture site before performing the block, and language difficulties or cognitive disorders.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized into 2 groups to receive bilateral suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks with either a bupivacaine/clonidine mixture for the CLG or bupivacaine alone in the CG.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The primary end point was the incidence of emergence agitation.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of emergence agitation (30.2% in the CG compared to 15.2% in the CLG; difference of incidences: 15%, 95% CI: 0.1-30.1). The percentage of patients requiring intraoperative Fentanyl was lower in the CLG (10.6% compared to 26.4%; difference of incidences: 15.8%, 95% CI: 1.8-29). No other differences were observed. Further research in a more typically aged children population undergoing cleft surgery is needed.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of clonidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in maxillary nerve block reduces the incidence of emergence agitation and intraoperative opioid consumption without hemodynamic or sedative side effects in patients undergoing cleft lip and palate surgery.

Infraorbital nerve block for postoperative pain following cleft lip repair in children

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain is a barrier to the quality of paediatric care, the proper management of which is a challenge. Acute postoperative pain often leads to adverse functional and organic consequences that may compromise surgical outcome. Cleft lip is one of the most common craniofacial birth defects and requires surgical correction early in life. As expected after a surgical intervention in such a sensitive and delicate area, the immediate postoperative period of cleft lip repair may be associated with moderate to severe pain. Infraorbital nerve block associated with general anaesthesia has been used to reduce postoperative pain after cleft lip repair.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of infraorbital nerve block for postoperative pain following cleft lip repair in children.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, the Cochrane Library, Issue 6, 2015), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) from inception to 17 June 2015. There were no language restrictions. We searched for ongoing trials in the following platforms: the metaRegister of Controlled Trials; ClinicalTrials.gov (the US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register), and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (on 17 June 2015). We checked reference lists of the included studies to identify any additional studies. We contacted specialists in the field and authors of the included trials for unpublished data.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled clinical trials that tested perioperative infraorbital nerve block for cleft lip repair in children, compared with other types of analgesia procedure, no intervention, or placebo (sham nerve block). We considered the type of drug, dosage, and route of administration used in each study. For the purposes of this review, the term 'perioperative' refers to the three phases of surgery, that is preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative, and commonly includes ward admission, anaesthesia, surgery, and recovery.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors (GF and EH) independently identified, screened, and selected the studies, assessed trial quality, and performed data extraction using the Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Review Group criteria. In case of disagreements, a third review author (EMKS) was consulted. We assessed the evidence using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

MAIN RESULTS

We included eight studies involving 353 children in the review. These studies reported different types of interventions (lignocaine or bupivacaine), observation times, and forms of measuring and describing the outcomes, making it difficult to conduct meta-analyses. In the comparison of infraorbital nerve block versus placebo, there was a large effect in mean postoperative pain scores (our first primary outcome) favouring the intervention group (standardised mean difference (SMD) -3.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) -6.13 to -0.95; very low-quality evidence; 3 studies; 120 children). Only one study reported the duration of analgesia (in hours) (second primary outcome) with a difference favouring the intervention group (mean difference (MD) 8.26 hours, 95% CI 5.41 to 11.11; very low-quality evidence) and less supplemental analgesic requirements in the intervention group (risk ratio (RR) 0.05, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.18; low-quality evidence). In the comparison of infraorbital nerve block versus intravenous analgesia, there was a difference favouring the intervention group in mean postoperative pain scores (SMD -1.50, 95% CI -2.40 to -0.60; very low-quality evidence; 2 studies; 107 children) and in the time to feeding (MD -9.45 minutes, 95% CI -17.37 to -1.53; moderate-quality evidence; 2 studies; 128 children). No significant adverse events (third primary outcome) were associated with the intervention, although three studies did not report this outcome. Five out of eight studies found no unwanted side effects after the nerve blocks. Overall, the included studies were at low or unclear risk of bias. The reasons for downgrading the quality of the evidence using GRADE related to the lack of information about randomisation methods and allocation concealment in the studies, very small sample sizes, and heterogeneity of outcome reporting.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is low- to very low-quality evidence that infraorbital nerve block with lignocaine or bupivacaine may reduce postoperative pain more than placebo and intravenous analgesia in children undergoing cleft lip repair. Further studies with larger samples are needed. Future studies should standardise the observation time and the instruments used to measure outcomes, and stratify children by age group.

Bilateral Infraorbital Nerve Block Versus Intravenous Pentazocine: A Comparative Study on Post-operative Pain Relief Following Cleft Lip Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Infra orbital nerve block is utilized for postoperative pain control in children undergoing cleft lip repair. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages of infra orbital nerve block and opioids for postoperative pain relief following cheiloplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty paediatric patients aged 3 months - 13 years undergoing cheiloplasty were selected by simple random sampling and were divided into two groups. All the children received standardized premedication with midazolam, were operated upon under general anaesthesia and the block was performed at the end of surgery before reversal. Group B patients were administered bilateral infra orbital nerve block with 0.25% Bupivacaine (upto 2 mg/kg). Group O patients received Pentazocine 0.5 mg / kg IV. Postoperatively, the heart rate and respiratory rates were recorded every 15 minutes for the first 60 minutes, half hourly till 4 hours and then at 12 and 24 hours. Behavioural assessment for pain / discomfort was done at intervals of ½, 1, 2, 3, 4, 12 and 24 hours. Need for supplementary analgesics and duration between the administration of block/opioid and the first dose of supplementary analgesics were noted. Side effects such as nausea and vomiting, pruritus, respiratory depression and bradycardia during each of these periods were noted.

RESULTS

Both the groups were comparable for age, sex, weight and operative time with no statistical difference. The mean duration of analgesia for infra orbital nerve block was 357.5 minutes i.e. 5 hours 58 minutes and that for opioid was 231 minutes i.e. 3 hours 51 minutes which was significantly lower than the hours of analgesia provided by the block. Further, at the 4th hour, 76.6% of the patients in Group O required supplementary analgesics, in contrast to only 16.6% in Group B. The incidence of nausea and vomiting and pruritus was also higher in Group O.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that bilateral infra orbital nerve block provides effective analgesia in the postoperative period, lasting for 6 hours in comparison to 3½ - 4 hours following the administration of intravenous Pentazocine, with no major untoward effects.

Duration of action of bupivacaine hydrochloride used for palatal sensory nerve block in infant pigs

Bupivacaine hydrochloride is frequently used in veterinary dental procedures to reduce the amount of general anesthesia needed and to reduce post-procedural pain. The aim of this study was to develop a novel method to test local anesthetic duration in mammals. Six infant pigs were placed under deep/surgical anesthesia with 3 % isoflurane and oxygen while 0.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride was injected to block the two greater palatine and the nasopalatine nerves. They were then maintained under light anesthesia with 0.5-1.0% isoflurane. Beginning 15-minutes after the injection, 7 sites in the oral cavity were stimulated using a pointed dental waxing instrument, including 3 sites on the hard palate. The response, or lack of response, to the stimulus was recorded on video and in written record The bupivacaine hydrochloride injections lasted 1 to 3-hours before the animals responded to the sensory stimulation with a reflexive movement This study provides evidence that bupivacaine used to anesthetize the hard palate has a relatively short and variable duration of action far below what is expected based on its pharmacokinetic properties.

A comparison of levobupivacaine and levobupivacaine-tramadol combination in bilateral infraorbital nerve block for postoperative analgesia after nasal surgery

BACKGROUND

Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of levobupivacaine and a levobupivacaine + tramadol combination on postoperative analgesia in intraoperative nerve block under standard general anesthetic.

METHODS

Forty-five patients undergoing outpatient nasal surgery under general anesthesia were randomized into 3 groups. Group L: 0.25% levobupivacaine, group T: 0.25% levobupivacaine and 50 mg tramadol, group S: normal saline solution; 2 mL of each being injected into the infraorbital foramen. Intraoperative hemodynamic changes were recorded. Verbal numeric rating scale (NRS) values were checked at 30 minutes and 1, 2, 8, and 12 hours postoperatively, and the need for rescue analgesic treatment in the first 12 hours of all patients was recorded. Also antiemetic drug requirement and side effects (nausea, edema, erythema, hematoma, and sedation) were recorded.

RESULTS

At 30 minutes and 1 hour postoperatively, NRS pain scores were lower in group T than in group S (P < 0.0001, P = 0.01, respectively). NRS pain score was lower in group T compared with group L at 1 hour postoperatively (P = 0.01). Effective analgesia time (sec) in the control group (142.67 ± 77.31) was shorter than levobupivacaine (240 ± 96.39) and levobupivacaine added to tramadol groups (277 ± 11.60) (P < 0.05). Additional analgesic requirement in the control group was higher than the other 2 groups in early postoperative period (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral infraorbital nerve block with 0.25% levobupivacaine is an effective, reliable, and simple technique in the treatment of postoperative pain in nasal surgery. In addition, the addition of tramadol as an adjuvant to local anesthetics in this technique is safe.

Protocols in cleft lip and palate treatment: systematic review

Objectives. To find clinical decisions on cleft treatment based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Method. Searches were made in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library on cleft lip and/or palate. From the 170 articles found in the searches, 28 were considered adequate to guide clinical practice. Results. A scarce number of RCTs were found approaching cleft treatment. The experimental clinical approaches analyzed in the 28 articles were infant orthopedics, rectal acetaminophen, palatal block with bupivacaine, infraorbital nerve block with bupivacaine, osteogenesis distraction, intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and alveoloplasty with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Conclusions. Few randomized controlled trials were found approaching cleft treatment, and fewer related to surgical repair of this deformity. So there is a need for more multicenter collaborations, mainly on surgical area, to reduce the variety of treatment modalities and to ensure that the cleft patient receives an evidence-based clinical practice.

Intra and postoperative outcome of adding clonidine to bupivacaine in infraorbital nerve block for young children undergoing cleft lip surgery

Aims and Context:

To evaluate the efficacy of adding clonidine to bupivacaine in bilateral infraorbital nerve block for hemodynamic changes, requirement of opioids, volatile agent, and muscle relaxants intraoperatively and relief of pain postoperatively

Setting and Design:

Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Methods:

Fifty pediatric patients aged less than 24 months undergoing elective cleft lip repair were randomly allocated to two groups of 25 each. After tracheal intubation, group A received bilateral infraorbital nerve block with 1 ml solution of clonidine (1 μg/kg) and bupivacaine 0.25%, and group B received 1 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. Hemodynamic parameters, intraoperative requirement of volatile anesthetic agent, muscle relaxant, and analgesic were recorded. Pain was assessed postoperatively using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability scale till the first rescue drug was given.

Statistical Analysis:

Two sample unpaired t-test and the correlation r test.

Results:

The duration of analgesia from the time of administration of block in group A was 667.72 ± 210.74 min compared to 558.48 ± 150.28 min in group B (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Addition of clonidine as an adjunct to local anesthetic significantly decreased the requirement of other anesthetic drugs and significantly prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia without any adverse effects.

Bilateral infraorbital nerve blocks decrease postoperative pain but do not reduce time to discharge following outpatient nasal surgery

Purpose

While infraorbital nerve blocks have demonstrated analgesic benefits for pediatric nasal and facial plastic surgery, no studies to date have explored the effect of this regional anesthetic technique on adult postoperative recovery. We designed this study to test the hypothesis that infraorbital nerve blocks combined with a standardized general anesthetic decrease the duration of recovery following outpatient nasal surgery.

Methods

At a tertiary care university hospital, healthy adult subjects scheduled for outpatient nasal surgery were randomly assigned to receive bilateral infraorbital injections with either 0.5% bupivacaine (Group IOB) or normal saline (Group NS) using an intraoral technique immediately following induction of general anesthesia. All subjects underwent a standardized general anesthetic regimen and were transported to the recovery room following tracheal extubation. The primary outcome was the duration of recovery (minutes) from recovery room admission until actual discharge to home. Secondary outcomes included average and worst pain scores, nausea and vomiting, and supplemental opioid requirements.

Results

Forty patients were enrolled. A statistically significant difference in mean [SD] recovery room duration was not observed between Groups IOB and NS (131 [61] min vs 133 [58] min, respectively; P = 0.77). Subjects in Group IOB did experience a reduction in average pain on a 0–100 mm scale (mean [95% confidence interval]) compared to Group NS (−11 [−21 to 0], P = 0.047), but no other comparison of secondary outcomes was statistically significant.

Conclusions

When added to a standardized general anesthetic, bilateral IOB do not decrease actual time to discharge following outpatient nasal surgery despite a beneficial effect on postoperative pain.

New insights into regional anesthesia in children: new techniques and new indications

The applications and indications for pediatric regional anesthesia continue to increase. Several recent advances have occurred in the understanding of this technology in children, including improved techniques, alternative drug combinations, as well as prospective investigations to understand the nature and incidence of adverse effects associated with these techniques when used in pediatric patients. The following article will review recent information from the literature concerning various regional anesthetic techniques in children, including caudal epidural block, lumbar and thoracic epidural anesthesia, and peripheral nerve blockade.

Bilateral intra-oral, infra-orbital nerve block for postoperative analgesia following cleft lip repair in paediatric patients: comparison of bupivacaine vs bupivacaine-pethidine combination

This prospective, randomised, double blind study compared the efficacy of pethidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine with the efficacy of bupivacaine alone for infra-orbital nerve block in alleviating postoperative pain in children undergoing cleft lip repair. Forty paediatric patients aged between 5 and 60 months undergoing cleft lip repair were randomly allocated to two groups of 20. After tracheal intubation, group B received bilateral intra-oral, infra-orbital nerve block with 1 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine on each side and group P received 1 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine along with 0.25 mg.kg(-1) body weight pethidine. Sedation after recovery from anaesthesia was assessed using the University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS) and pain was assessed postoperatively up to 36 h using the FLACC scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability). The median (IQR) duration of analgesia from the time of administration of block in group B was 18 h (14.2-20) compared to 29.1 h (24-36) in group P (p = 0.001). Addition of pethidine as an adjunct to local anaesthetic significantly prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia without any adverse effects.

A comparison of bilateral infraorbital nerve block with intravenous fentanyl for analgesia following cleft lip repair in children

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of analgesia with bilateral infraorbital nerve block and intravenous (i.v.) fentanyl were compared for cleft lip surgery in children.

METHODS

Eighty-two children aged 3 months to 10 years undergoing cleft lip repair were prospectively randomized to one of two groups: bilateral infraorbital nerve block (Group B), or i.v. fentanyl (Group F). Group B (n = 41) received bilateral infraorbital injection of 1 ml 0.25% bupivacaine and 2 ml i.v. saline as control. Group F (n = 41) received 2 microg x kg(-1) i.v. fentanyl, and bilateral infraorbital injection of 1 ml saline as control. Pain was evaluated by the incidence of tachycardia, hypertension, and/or modified pain score > or =4. The time to awakening, time to first cry and time to feeding were noted.

RESULTS

Thirty four children (82.9%) in Group B had adequate analgesia compared with 15 (36.6%) in Group F (P < 0.0001, RR of failure 0.27 for Group B). Group B had a mean time to awakening of 5.65 +/- 2.52 min (Group F: 9.37 +/- 4.50 min; P < 0.0001), time to first cry 32.14 +/- 18.22 min (Group F: 28.00 +/- 16.27 min; P = 0.3), time to feed 62.05 +/- 20.06 min (Group F: 72.44 +/- 17.72; P = 0.015), and pain score 2.81 +/- 1.38 (Group F: 4.71 +/- 1.89; P < 0.0001). There were no major complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral infraorbital block is superior to fentanyl in terms of analgesia, and time to awakening and feeding.

The changing pattern of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug use in cleft lip and palate repair

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed at performing a retrospective and comparative investigation of pharmacological therapeutic approach for pain and inflammation control for cleft lip and/or palate repair.

STUDY DESIGN

Medical charts from 2000 patients who underwent surgical procedures at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo (HRAC-USP), Brazil, were assessed to obtain information regarding type of cleft, surgical procedure, and analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed. The first 1000 consecutive surgeries performed in 1992 and 2002 were assessed.

RESULTS

Different analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), steroids, and opioids-were given to patients perioperatively and postoperatively. NSAIDS were given to almost all patients (97.03% in 1992 and 99.88% in 2002, P > .05). Steroid administration increased in 2002 (8.66% versus 17.71%, P < .05). Opioids were administered only in 2002 (50.31%, P < .05).

CONCLUSION

NSAIDS, steroids, and opioids were used for pain and inflammation control in cleft lip and palate repair at HRAC-USP. A change in the pattern of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug use was observed when comparing 1992 and 2002. More potent compounds, such as opioids, were used in 2002 in a significant percentage of all the surgical procedures.

Regional anesthesia for cleft lip repair: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether local anesthetic blockade of the infraorbital nerve may allow for cleft lip repair to be performed under regional anesthesia.

METHOD

Twenty patients above 12 years of age with cleft lip (7 females and 13 males) were enrolled. Careful preoperative counseling was given. Bilateral infraorbital block was performed (extraoral approach) with 10 mL of equal volumes of 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 adrenaline and 0.5% bupivacaine. The point of entry was the intersection of a vertical line through the pupil of the eye (in the neutral position) and a horizontal line through the ala of the nose. The needle was directed medially and cephalad until the infraorbital foramina was reached and 2 mL was injected. Through the same point of entry, but directed medially (toward the ala), 1 mL was injected followed by a 2-mL injection caudally and medially (into the lip).

RESULTS

The block was successful in all patients without complication. The surgery was uneventful, lasting between 45 and 60 minutes. The postoperative duration of analgesia was between 6 and 24 hours (mean 16.5 +/- 5.10 SD).

CONCLUSIONS

The nerve supply of the cleft lip, our modification of the block, and possible problems with this technique are discussed. This study confirms the utility of this block for postoperative analgesia. Further studies are required to apply this innovative, safe, and economical modification of anesthesia for cleft lip surgery.

Bilateral infraorbital nerve block is superior to peri-incisional infiltration for analgesia after repair of cleft lip

Cleft lip repair is a common operation in infants and requires that the child is pain-free during the postoperative period so that handling does not affect the integrity of the delicate surgical site. This study was designed to compare the efficacy and duration of effect of 0.125% bupivacaine given preoperatively as a bilateral infraorbital nerve block with peri-incisional infiltration of the same local anaesthetic for postoperative analgesia in cleft lip repair. It was a randomised, double blind, prospective study in 30 children aged 4-20 months (ASA grade 1). After a standard induction, group A (n = 15) were given a bilateral infraorbital nerve block with 0.125% bupivacaine and group B (n = 15) had peri-incisional infiltration with the same solution. No additional systemic analgesics were given before or during the operation. Intraoperative monitoring comprised measurement of heart rate and blood pressure and post-operatively pain relief was recorded using a behavioural pain relief score. The heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were also monitored at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after tracheal extubation. The results showed that group A had significantly better pain relief (higher scores) than group B for eight hours postoperatively (p < 0.05). The analgesic requirement in group B became significant at two hours postoperatively, while group A had significant analgesic requirements only after eight hours. The significant rise in heart rate and blood pressure that accompanied tracheal intubation in both groups suggested that while both methods of analgesia may be adequate to prevent responses to skin incision, they do not substitute for adequate systemic analgesia during the operation. We conclude that infraorbital nerve block with 0.125% bupivacaine provides better and more prolonged analgesia than peri-incisional infiltration in cleft lip repair.