Superficial peroneal nerve block for leg venography

Insertion of a needle into the dorsum of the foot for lower-extremity venography is painful for many patients, and several attempts at puncture may be necessary. A regional anesthetic technique, superficial peroneal nerve block, has been devised to alleviate this pain. The nerve block is simple to perform, consisting of infiltration of lidocaine just above the ankle. Discomfort from performance of the block was minimal in all 20 cases in which it was performed. The block was effective in eliminating or significantly reducing pain in 17 of the 20.