Abstract: ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of scalp nerve block for attenuating intraoperative hemodynamic stress, decreasing anesthetics and postoperative pain in neurosurgical patients.Methods60 adult patients undergoing frontotemporal craniotomies were randomly divided into three groups to receive scalp nerve block with normal saline as control in group A, 0.8% lidocaine combined with 0.13 % menthol in group B, and 1% ropivacaine in group C after intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was controlled within-20%～+10% of the baseline with isoflurane (maximum limitation of isoflurane was 2 times of minimal alveolar air concentration) and intravenous nicardipine (0.5 mg bolus iv). Heart rate was controlled below 100 bpm with esmolol (50 mg bolus iv). Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with tramadol was used for the postoperative analgesia. MAP, heart rate (HR) and end tidal isoflurane concentration were monitored during craniotomy. Visual analogous score (VAS) was observed after craniotomy.ResultsThe concentrations of end-tidal isoflurane in group A were significantly higher than that in group B and group C. MAP and HR in group A increased significantly than baseline values during operation, especially in skin incision, opening bone,while MAP and HR in group C did not increased significantly than baseline. VAS within 2 h postoperative in group B was significantly lower than that in group A (P<0.05).ConclusionThe scalp nerve block can effectively decrease intraoperative isoflurane concentration, attenuate hemodynamic responses and reduce postoperative pain.

Key words: peripheric nerve block, regional block, craniotomy