LOCATING THE ACCURATE PATENCY, SHAPE, AND POSITION OF GREATER PALATINE FORAMEN AND ASSESSING ITS IMPORTANCE IN MAXILLARY NERVE BLOCK

Abstract

Background: GPF (greater palatine foramen is seen at the articulation of the maxilla and hard palate on
its posterior part which continues upward and posteriorly as GPC (greater palatine canal) and has an
opening in the pterygopalatine fossa. The maxillary nerve exits the foramen rotundum and enters the
pterygopalatine fossa where the nerve can be blocked with high success and low complications. This
nerve block is vital for various oral surgical procedures. Aim: The study was aimed to accurately locate
the patency, shape, and position of a greater palatine foramen in Indian subjects that can help in the
intraoral maxillary nerve block approach. Methods: In 60 dried skull bones from adult subjects of both
genders, patency, and shape of greater palatine foramen were assessed along with the molar relationship.
The data collected were assessed statistically. Results: The study results depicted that bilaterally on all
the skulls, greater palatine foramen was seen opposite to third molars in 91% of the studied skulls. The
shape was most commonly found to be oval in 54% of skulls, and the patency rate was found to be 96%.
Conclusion: The study with its data comparison and analysis showed that patency, shape, and position of
greater palatine foramen can change based on the racial perspective. The study also showed that it is
easier and safer to attain maxillary nerve block through greater palatine foramen owing to the consistency
of the patency, shape, and position of the greater palatine foramen in the Indian subjects.