What precaution reduces the risk of facial nerve paralysis during an infraorbital block?

What precaution reduces the risk of facial nerve paralysis during an infraorbital block?

• A. Confirm bony resistance before depositing anesthetic
• B. Use maximum volume available
• C. Deposit anesthetic near the parotid gland
• D. Inject rapidly to speed the procedure

Answer: (A)

The key idea is placing the anesthetic precisely where the infraorbital nerve runs. Before you deposit the solution, you should advance the needle until you feel bony resistance—the touch of the bone at the infraorbital foramen or canal. That moment confirms the needle tip is in the right location near the nerve, allowing the anesthetic to block that nerve without spreading to surrounding tissues. If you inject without this check, the anesthetic may be deposited in soft tissue or near the parotid region where facial nerve branches lie, increasing the chance of unintended diffusion and temporary facial paralysis. Using a larger volume would push the anesthetic farther and raise the risk of diffusion to those nerve fibers, and injecting rapidly offers no safety advantage and can worsen tissue spread. So confirming bony resistance ensures targeted, safe placement.

The key idea is placing the anesthetic precisely where the infraorbital nerve runs. Before you deposit the solution, you should advance the needle until you feel bony resistance—the touch of the bone at the infraorbital foramen or canal. That moment confirms the needle tip is in the right location near the nerve, allowing the anesthetic to block that nerve without spreading to surrounding tissues.

If you inject without this check, the anesthetic may be deposited in soft tissue or near the parotid region where facial nerve branches lie, increasing the chance of unintended diffusion and temporary facial paralysis. Using a larger volume would push the anesthetic farther and raise the risk of diffusion to those nerve fibers, and injecting rapidly offers no safety advantage and can worsen tissue spread. So confirming bony resistance ensures targeted, safe placement.