title: Lateral popliteal sciatic nerve block compared with subcutaneous infiltration for analgesia following foot surgery.
abstract: A new lateral approach to blocking the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa is described. 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 SC (n = 19) received subcutaneous infiltration of the wound. Both groups received 20 ml bupivacaine 0.5% plain. The lateral approach to the popliteal sciatic nerve was found to be an effective, quick, and easy to perform, block. Postoperative analgesia in groups PS lasted a median of 18.0 hr and in group SC lasted 6.3 hr (P < 0.05). The lateral popliteal sciatic nerve block provided effective analgesia following foot surgery and had a high level of patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Claridge
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Merrick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000698:Analgesia; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000294:innervation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods; D010027:Osteotomy; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002045:Bupivacaine