Lateral popliteal sciatic nerve block compared with ankle block for analgesia following foot surgery

The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative analgesia after foot surgery in patients anaesthetised either with popliteal sciatic nerve block or ankle block. In a prospective study, 40 patients scheduled for foot surgery involving osteotomies were allocated randomly into one of two groups. Following induction of general anaesthesia, Group PS (n = 21) received a lateral popliteal sciatic nerve block and Group AB (n = 19) received an ankle block. Both groups received 20 ml bupivacaine 0.5% plain. In group PS 43% required morphine analgesia in the Post Anaesthetic Recovery Room (PAR) compared with 16% in group AB. Postoperative analgesia was assessed using VAS and a pain scale in the PAR and a questionnaire by telephone follow-up on the day after surgery. The ankle block appeared to be more reliable, providing more consistent analgesia in the PAR. Postoperative analgesia in Group PS lasted a median of 18.0 hr and in Group AB lasted 11.5 hr (P < 0.05). Both techniques provided effective analgesia after discharge home and high levels of patient satisfaction.     

神经刺激器定位下坐骨神经阻滞与椎管内阻滞对足、踝部手术麻醉效果的比较

目的比较神经刺激器定位下坐骨神经阻滞与硬膜外阻滞和脊麻对足、踝部手术的麻醉效果。方法选择ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级,年龄20～55岁,足、踝部择期手术患者60例,随机分为三组,坐骨神经阻滞组(N组)、硬膜外阻滞组(E组)和脊麻组(S组),每组20例。观察和记录麻醉起效时间、麻醉效果、患者满意度评分,并观察不良反应。结果起效时间N组[(15±4)min]与S组[(6±4)min]比较差异有显著意义(P<0.05),与E组[(16±4)min]比较差异无显著意义(P>0.05)。术中疼痛程度三组间差异无显著意义(P>0.05)。术后镇痛时间N组[(9±4)h]较S组[(4±3)h]长,与E组[(10±3)h]接近,与S组比差异有显著意义(P<0.05)。N组术中及术后未见明显的不良反应发生。结论坐骨神经阻滞与硬膜外阻滞和脊麻一样,可以满足踝部手术的需要,且并发症少。     

股神经联合坐骨神经阻滞应用在踝关节镜手术中的效果评价

目的 比较两种不同的麻醉方式在踝关节镜手术中的应用效果。方法 选择2018年1月至2019年12月在中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院行踝关节镜手术的患者60例,随机分为股神经组和腰丛组,每组各30例,股神经组实施股神经联合坐骨神经阻滞,腰丛组实施腰丛联合坐骨神经阻滞。比较两组患者术中和术后的麻醉和镇痛效果、麻醉操作时间、不同时间的心率及平均血压和麻醉并发症及不良反应。结果 两组患者术中额外使用局麻药和麻醉性镇痛药人数、术后24小时内静息或运动的VAS评分及额外使用镇痛药的人数和使用时间差异均无统计学意义;股神经组麻醉操作时间显著少于腰丛组;股神经组在麻醉操作过程中的心率和平均血压显著低于腰丛组;两组患者术后不良反应比较差异无统计学意义。结论 股神经联合坐骨神经阻滞与腰丛联合坐骨神经阻滞在踝关节镜手术中的麻醉和术后镇痛效果无显著差别,但前者麻醉操作时间更短,围术期生命体征更平稳。     

Continuous subgluteus sciatic nerve block after orthopedic foot and ankle surgery: comparison of two infusion techniques

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare continuous infusion or a patient-controlled technique for postoperative analgesia after foot surgery, using a new subgluteus approach for continuous sciatic nerve block. METHODS: Fifty healthy patients, undergoing orthopedic foot surgery, received a continuous sciatic nerve block using a new subgluteus approach. All blocks were placed with the aid of a nerve stimulator using a 10-cm, 18-gauge insulated Tuohy needle. After either plantar flexion or dorsiflexion of the operated foot was elicited at < or = 0.5 mA, 20 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine was injected incrementally using repeated aspiration tests, then followed by the introduction of a 20-gauge epidural catheter. Postoperatively, 0.2% ropivacaine was infused with either a 10 mL/h continuous infusion (group Continuous, n = 25) or with a 5 mL/h basal rate with 5 mL bolus every 60 minutes (group patient-controlled analgesia [PCA], n = 25). Intraoperative analgesic supplementation, as well as postoperative pain relief, morphine consumption, incidence of complication, and patient satisfaction were recorded by an observer unaware of group assignment. RESULTS: The sciatic catheter was successfully placed in all patients. Intravenous fentanyl supplementation (dose range, 50 to 150 microg) was required in 4 patients in each group, but no patient required general anesthesia. Catheter dislocation was reported in 2 patients (4%). The quality of pain relief was good in both groups, and none experienced complications. Nine patients of the Continuous group (37%) and 7 patients of the PCA group (29%) required rescue morphine analgesia because of pain in the femoral dermatomes (P =.76). Ropivacaine consumption was 240 mL in the Continuous group (range, 200 to 240 mL) and 140 mL in the PCA group (range, 120 to 290 mL) (P =.0005). Patient acceptance was good in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The continuous subgluteus sciatic nerve block represents an easy and reliable option for postoperative analgesia after foot surgery; using a patient controlled rather than a continuous infusion technique reduces the consumption of local anesthetic solution without affecting the quality of pain relief.     

Continuous sciatic nerve block

A technique of continuous sciatic nerve block is described. The method was used to relieve pain from ischaemic gangrene of the foot for 2 days before below-knee amputation and, combined with a continuous inguinal paravascular block, to provide regional anaesthesia both for the surgery and for the first 2 postoperative days.     

Ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block

Theoretically, sciatic nerve block can be used alone or in combination with lumbar plexus block or femoral nerve block for anesthesia and/or analgesia of lower limb surgery. However, clinical use of sciatic nerve block was limited by technical difficulties in performing the block since techniques used relies only on surface anatomical landmarks. Recent advances in ultrasound technology allow direct visualization of nerves and other surrounding structures and have increased the interest in performing many kinds of peripheral nerve blocks including sciatic nerve block. Preliminary data suggest that ultrasound-guided technique can help perform the sciatic nerve block more reliably and safely. In this article we describe the anatomy of the sciatic nerve, sonographic features, and technique of three major approaches including subgluteal, anterior, and popliteal approaches. The use of this technique for postoperative analgesia is also discussed.     

Ultrasound imaging for popliteal sciatic nerve block

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound is a novel method of nerve localization but its use for lower extremity blocks appears limited with only reports for femoral 3-in-1 blocks. We report a case series of popliteal sciatic nerve blocks using ultrasound guidance to illustrate the clinical usefulness of this technology. CASE REPORT: The sciatic nerve was localized in the popliteal fossa by ultrasound imaging in 10 patients using a 4- to 7-MHz probe and the Philips ATL HDI 5000 unit. Ultrasound imaging showed the sciatic nerve anatomy, the point at which it divides, and the spatial relationship between the peroneal and tibial nerves distally. Needle contact with the nerve(s) was further confirmed with nerve stimulation. Circumferential local anesthetic spread within the fascial sheath after injection appears to correlate with rapid onset and completeness of sciatic nerve block. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience suggests that ultrasound localization of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa is a simple and reliable procedure. It helps guide block needle placement and assess local anesthetic spread pattern at the time of injection.     

Pain relief after major ankle and hindfoot surgery with repetitive peripheral nerve blocks: A feasibility study

Background

Major ankle and hindfoot surgery (e.g., ankle, triple and subtalar arthrodesis) typically causes severe postoperative pain, especially the first two postoperative days. Current modalities of postoperative analgesic treatment often include continuous peripheral nerve blocks of the saphenous and sciatic nerves via catheters in order to extend the duration of pain- and opioid-free nerve blockade to 48 h. Unfortunately, the 48 h-efficacy of continuous infusion via a catheter is reduced by a high displacement rate. We hypothesised that one-time repetition of the single injection peripheral nerve blocks would provide effective analgesia with a low opioid consumption the first 48 postoperative hours.

Methods

Eleven subjects preoperatively received a popliteal sciatic and a saphenous single injection nerve block with a protracted local anaesthetic mixture. Surgery was performed under general anaesthesia. The one-time repetition of the single injection nerve block was carried out approximately 24 h after the primary nerve block. The main outcomes were pain and cumulative opioid consumption during the first 48 postoperative hours.

Results

Nine of the 11 (82%) patients had effective analgesia without opioids during the first 48 postoperative hours. Two patients each required a single dose of 7.5 mg of oral morphine equivalents after 43 h.

Conclusion

One-time repetition of single injection saphenous and sciatic nerve blocks consistently provided effective analgesia practically without opioids for 48 h after major elective ankle and hindfoot surgery.     

Bioadjuvants for complex ankle and hindfoot reconstruction

Many reconstructive options exist for symptomatic hindfoot and ankle problems. Hindfoot and tibiotalar fusions are reliable procedures with consistent results. Unfortunately, many potential complications have been cited throughout the literature. Although the most important aspect in any fusion surgery is meticulous technique, advances in technology, including PRP, bone stimulators, and BMPs seem to be useful additions in the quest to achieve solid fusions with decreased complications.