Indications
Trauma or need to perform painful procedure on area innervated by supraorbital nerve
Contraindications
- Infection overlying injection site
- Allergy to local anesthetic
- Distortion of anatomical landmarks
Equipment
- 2-5cc of local anesthetic of choice
- Syringe
- Cleansing solution
- 1.5 inch small gauge needle (25 or greater)
Technique
- Place patient in supine position or seated
- Draw up 2-5cc of anesthetic into syringe
- Palpate the supraorbital foramen over the medial aspect of the supraorbital ridge
- Prep area
- Advance the needle towards foramen (5-10mm)
- Aspirate, and if no blood, inject 1-3 cc of anesthetic slowly
- Massage area for 10-15 seconds
- If block is unsuccessful, inject a line of anesthetic solution along the orbital rim laterally to medially to block all branches of the ophthalmic nerve