Ultrasound-Guided vs. Conventional Scalp Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Pediatric Supratentorial Tumor Surgeries

Although scalp nerve blocks have been shown to provide effective postoperative analgesia in pediatric neurosurgical procedures, limited data exist on their use under ultrasound guidance. The smaller anatomical structures and higher vascularity of the pediatric scalp increase the risk of inadvertent vessel puncture or systemic toxicity with landmark-based techniques. Ultrasound guidance enables direct visualization of the targeted nerves and adjacent vessels, potentially improving block accuracy and safety. To date, no randomized controlled trial has compared ultrasound-guided versus conventional scalp block specifically in pediatric supratentorial tumor surgeries. This study aims to fill this gap.