Ultrasound-guided glossopharyngeal nerve block for safe and effective anesthesia in a critically ill patient with acute myocardial infarction undergoing urgent endoscopy
Ayda Turkoz1
, Myat Su Win2, Mehmet Sari2
1Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Medipol Acıbadem Regional Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye
Keywords: Endoscopy, glossopharyngeal nerve block, ultrasound, gastroduodenoscopy, acute myocardial infarction.
Abstract
Glossopharyngeal nerve block (GPNB) can provide effective anesthesia for procedures involving the oropharynx and upper airway. Ultrasound-guided GPNB (UGPNB) may be particularly useful when conventional sedation or topical anesthesia is undesirable because of the risk of respiratory or cardiovascular complications. In this article, we report the use of UGPNB as an alternative anesthetic technique for gastroduodenal endoscopy in a 57-year-old male patient with AMI and gastrointestinal bleeding. In this patient requiring emergency endoscopy, UGPNB was performed via the peristyloid approach to provide oropharyngeal anesthesia while minimizing the need for sedation. The block effectively suppressed the gag reflex and provided adequate procedural conditions while maintaining hemodynamic stability. No procedure-related complications or adverse effects were observed, and the patient reported no discomfort following the procedure. In conclusion, UGPNB may be a useful alternative to sedation for endoscopy in high-risk cardiac patients.
Cite this article as: Turkoz A, Win MS, Sari M. Ultrasound-guided glossopharyngeal nerve block for safe and effective anesthesia in a critically ill patient with acute myocardial infarction undergoing urgent endoscopy. Agri 2026;38(4):302-305. doi: 10.5606/agri.2026.64.