Combined popliteal and posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh blocks for short saphenous vein stripping in outpatients: an alternative to spinal anesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a combination of peripheral nerve blocks with spinal anesthesia in ambulatory patients undergoing short saphenous vein stripping.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
28 ASA physical status l and II ambulatory surgery patients undergoing short saphenous vein stripping.


METHODS
14 patients received a popliteal block (sciatic nerve block at the popliteal fossa) using 30 ml of alkalinized 3% chloroprocaine and a posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh block with 10 ml of 1% lidocaine. The 14 patients who were randomized to the spinal anesthesia group received 65 mg of 5% hyperbaric lidocaine.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in age and gender between the two groups (mean age 53 +/- 13 years, 8 men and 20 women). Patients in the peripheral nerve block group recovered significantly faster in phase 1 of the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) (67 +/- 10 min vs. 122 +/- 50 min, p < 0.01) and were discharged home sooner (222 +/- 53 min vs. 294 +/- 69 min, p < 0.01) than the patients in the spinal anesthesia group.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of popliteal and posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh blocks provided adequate anesthesia and a faster recovery profile with a similar subjective acceptance of both anesthetic techniques in ambulatory patients undergoing short saphenous vein stripping in the prone position.
Vloka
J D
JD
Department of Anesthesiology, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY 10025, USA.
Hadzic
A
A
Mulcare
R
R
Lesser
J B
JB
Koorn
R
R
Thys
D M
DM
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D013848:Thigh / Q000294:innervation; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures