Sciatic nerve palsy following uneventful sciatic nerve block.
We describe the loss of function in the sciatic nerve after an uneventful sciatic nerve block using 25 ml of lignocaine 1% with adrenaline 1 in 200,000 in a patient receiving beta blocker drugs. Lack of pain on injection and complete regeneration of the nerve after 12 months in a patient with severe peripheral vascular disease led us to postulate ischaemic nerve damage as a mechanism of injury. Adrenaline-induced unopposed alpha-mediated vasoconstriction in a beta-blocked patient is suggested as a possible mechanism of peripheral nerve injury worthy of further investigation.
Bonner
S M
SM
Anaesthetics Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Pridie
A K
AK
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology