Story perspectives

Study: Nerve Block Cuts Opioid Use in Infants’ Surgery

12/19/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study in Journal of Craniofacial Surgery found that a suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block before cleft palate surgery reduces opioid use in infants.
Infants with the nerve block averaged 0.1 mg morphine post-surgery, versus 0.75 mg for those without the block.
Seven infants with nerve block did not require morphine and used non-opioid medications.
The study involved 10 infants and calls for trials to confirm nerve blocks' impact on recovery and hospital stays.

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Story summary

A study in Journal of Craniofacial Surgery found that a suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block before cleft palate surgery reduces opioid use in infants.
Infants with the nerve block averaged 0.1 mg morphine post-surgery, versus 0.75 mg for those without the block.
Seven infants with nerve block did not require morphine and used non-opioid medications.
The study involved 10 infants and calls for trials to confirm nerve blocks' impact on recovery and hospital stays.