Popliteal fossa block for postoperative analgesia after foot surgery in infants and children.
The efficacy of a popliteal fossa block (PFB) was evaluated after foot and ankle surgery in children. With the child still anesthetized, a PFB was performed with 0.75 ml/kg of 0.2% ropivacaine. Postoperative analgesia was assessed by using an objective pain score, assigned at 2-h intervals. Patients with scores of > or =3 received intravenous nalbuphine. PFBs were performed in 20 children ranging in age from 0.5 to 12 years and in weight from 6 to 41 kg. In five patients, the PFB block was supplemented with a saphenous nerve block at the ankle. The PFB was unsuccessful in one patient. The remaining 19 patients required no analgesic agents during the first 8 postoperative hours. Eight patients required no analgesic agents during the first 12 postoperative hours. The duration of the analgesia varied from 8 to 12 hours. PFB provides effective analgesia after foot and ankle surgery in children.
General Hospital in Pereira, Columbia, South America. Joseph_Tobias@muccmail.missouri.edu
J D
JD
Tobias
G A
GA
Mencio
D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005532:Foot Deformities, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine