Sciatic Nerve Block in Popliteal Fossa

CONTEXT: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with severe postoperative pain which increases morbidity and mortality. AIMS: The aim of the study was to compare the analgesic efficacy and motor blockade of continuous infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine and 0.2% ropivacaine in femoral nerve block following unilateral TKA and to assess the effectiveness of femoral nerve block. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: One hundred and fifty patients undergoing unilateral total knee replacement surgery were included in this prospective observational comparative study...

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have documented that single injection nearby the sciatic nerve bifurcation would influence the anesthesia and analgesia effect. But this is uncertain for preoperative continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block. This trial was conducted to compare two paths (proximal to the bifurcation and at the bifurcation) of ultrasound-guided continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block in foot and ankle surgery. METHODS: Forty recruited objects were randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block at the puncture path proximal to the nerve bifurcation either at the nerve bifurcation...

Sickle cell crisis, or vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), is a major cause of hospitalizations for adults and children with sickle cell disease, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Despite prompt pharmacological treatment and multimodal pain management, acute pain during a VOC is often not adequately controlled in the pediatric population. We placed a continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block under ultrasound guidance in a pediatric patient for localized refractory pain during a VOC, resulting in improved pain control with preserved sensorimotor function...

PURPOSE: This study demonstrated the effects of perfluorobutane (Sonazoid® ) with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) to identify the spread of local anesthetics in ultrasound-guided nerve block. METHODS: This study consists of simulation, cadaveric, and animal studies. In a simulation study, 1% lidocaine with 10- to 1000-fold diluted Sonazoid® , a US-specific contrast agent to diagnose hepatic and breast cancers (0.5 mL), was injected into a resin-based phantom to determine the optimal concentration for ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block...

Background. A recently described selective tibial nerve block at the popliteal crease presents a viable alternative to sciatic nerve block for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. In this two-part investigation, we describe the effects of a tibial nerve block at the popliteal crease. Methods. In embalmed cadavers, after the ultrasound-guided dye injection the dissection revealed proximal spread of dye within the paraneural sheath. Consequentially, in the clinical study twenty patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty received the ultrasound-guided selective tibial nerve block at the popliteal crease, which also resulted in proximal spread of local anesthetic...

INTRODUCTION: Sciatic neuropathy after popliteal nerve block (PNB) for regional anesthesia is considered uncommon but has been increasingly recognized in the literature. We identified a case of sciatic neuropathy that occurred after bunionectomy during which a PNB had been performed. METHODS: To understand the frequency of PNB-related sciatic neuropathy, we performed a retrospective review of sciatic neuropathies at our center over a 5-year period. RESULTS: Forty-five cases of sciatic neuropathy were reviewed...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound-guided subsartorial saphenous nerve block is commonly used to provide complete surgical anesthesia of the foot and ankle in combination with a popliteal sciatic nerve block. However, in part owing to its small caliber and absence of a prominent vascular landmark in the subsartorial plane distal to the adductor canal, the saphenous nerve is more difficult to reliably block than the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa. Although the saphenous nerve is a sensory nerve only, neurostimulation can be used to elicit a "tapping" sensation on the anteromedial aspect of the lower leg extending toward the medial malleolus...

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the relationship of the popliteal artery to the sciatic and tibial nerves in the popliteal fossa. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: University medical center. SUBJECTS: One hundred patients scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging scans of the knee. MEASUREMENTS: BMI was recorded and magnetic resonance imaging scans were assessed at 3 different measurement points along the femur for the distance and angle between the popliteal artery and tibial nerve, or sciatic nerve if the sciatic nerve had not bifurcated at the measurement point...

The adductor canal block has become a common analgesic technique in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty. Dispersion of local anesthetic outside the adductor canal through interfascial layers and blockade of smaller nerves that confer innervation to the knee could contribute to the analgesic efficacy of the adductor canal block. We studied the diffusion of local anesthetic mixed with dye after injection into the adductor canal in fresh human cadavers. In all 8 legs, injectate was found in the popliteal fossa in contact with the sciatic nerve and/or popliteal blood vessels...

BACKGROUND: Even as the use of peripheral nerve blockade in the perioperative setting is increasing, neural injury secondary to accidental intraneural injection remains a significant patient safety concern. Current modalities, including electrical stimulation and ultrasound imaging, still lack consistency and absolute reliability in both the detection and prevention of this complication. The measurement of electrical impedance (EI) could be an easy and valuable additional tool to detect intraneural needle placement...

PURPOSE: Limited research data exist regarding optimal block techniques in the severely and morbidly obese patient population. We compared two approaches to sciatic nerve blockade at the popliteal fossa in severely and morbidly obese patients. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in pain scores, block onset characteristics, and adverse events between the proximal (prebifurcation) and the distal (postbifurcation) sites. METHODS: Patients with a body mass index ≥35 scheduled for unilateral foot surgery with a popliteal block were randomized to receive an ultrasound-guided popliteal block proximal or distal to the bifurcation of the sciatic nerve...

BACKGROUND: The analgesic efficacy reported for the adductor canal block may be related to the spread of local anesthetic outside the adductor canal. METHODS: Fifteen patients undergoing knee surgery received ultrasound-guided injections of local anesthetic at the level of the adductor hiatus. Sensory-motor block and spread of contrast solution were assessed. RESULTS: Sensation was rated as "markedly diminished" or "absent" in the saphenous nerve distribution and "slightly diminished" in the sciatic nerve territory without motor deficits...

OBJECTIVE: Block of the sciatic nerve at the popliteal fossa can be performed using the ultrasound machine; it may be proximally or distally to the bifurcation of the sciatic nerve using lateral, medial, or posterior approaches. It is frequently used for surgeries below the knee specially the foot and ankle operations. PURPOSE: This study compares one and two injections of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa with ultrasound-guided block in foot or ankle surgeries...

BACKGROUND: The bifurcation into tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve is generally targeted for sciatic nerve block at popliteal approach. However, it is sometimes difficult to determine the exact bifurcation point in clinical situation. The mean distance between the popliteal fossa and division of sciatic nerve (DPDSN) was reported approximately 6 cm ± 2.5 cm in Caucasian cadaver study. We also studied DPDSN in Japanese cadaver to find ethnic difference. METHODS: We dissected and recorded DPDSN and distance from gluteal fold to heel (foot length : FL) in 15 cadavers...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, administration of sciatic nerve block has been revised due to the potential benefit for postoperative analgesia and patient satisfaction after the advent of ultrasound. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical relations of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa to determine the optimal distance the needle must be positioned in order to realize the sciatic nerve block anterior to its bifurcation into the tibial and common fibular nerve...

Developmented and introduction into clinical practice of the sciatic nerve blockade as method of guided anesthesia/analgesia for pain syndromes and surgical interventions on the lower legs. Anaesthesia was analyzed in 35 patients. In 15 patients used the blockade of the sciatic nerve bifurcation proposed method with the popliteal fossa in acute and chronic pain syndromes and comparison with spinal anesthesia in 20. Blockade of the sciatic nerve at the site of its bifurcation provides a highly efficient and long-lasting nerve block zones of innervation is sufficient to perform the surgery...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, administration of sciatic nerve block has been revised due to the potential benefit for postoperative analgesia and patient satisfaction after the advent of ultrasound. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical relations of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa to determine the optimal distance the needle must be positioned in order to realize the sciatic nerve block anterior to its bifurcation into the tibial and common fibular nerve...

BACKGROUND: Existing techniques for placing and maintaining the position of peripheral nerve catheters are associated with variable success rates and frequent secondary failures. These factors may affect the clinical efficacy and usefulness of peripheral nerve catheters. METHODS: We developed a new concept and prototype for ultrasound-guided in-plane positioning and readjustment of peripheral nerve catheters (patent pending). The integrated catheter-needle prototype comprises three parts: a curved needle, a catheter with clear echogenic markings attached to the needle tail and a detachable hub allowing injection of local anesthetic while advancing the needle in the tissue...

INTRODUCTION: Sciatic Nerve (SN) is the nerve of the posterior compartment of thigh formed in the pelvis from the ventral rami of the L4 to S3 spinal nerves. It leaves the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen below piriformis and divides into Common Peroneal Nerve (CPN) and Tibial Nerve (TN) at the level of the upper angle of the popliteal fossa. Higher division of the sciatic nerve is the most common variation where the TN and CPN may leave the pelvis through different routes. Such variation may lead to compression of the nerve and lead to Non-discogenic sciatica...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The recommendations for the level of injection and ideal placement of the needle tip required for successful ultrasound-guided sciatic popliteal block vary among authors. A hypothesis was made that, when the local anesthetic is injected at the division of the sciatic nerve within the common connective tissue sheath, the block has a higher success rate than an injection outside the sheath. METHODS: Thirty-four patients scheduled for hallux valgus repair surgery were randomized to receive either a sub-sheath block (n=16) or a peri-sheath block (n=18) at the level of the division of the sciatic nerve at the popliteal fossa...