title: Lateral trans-biceps popliteal block for elective foot and ankle surgery performed after induction of general anesthesia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to determine safety and efficacy of lateral transtendinous popliteal blocks performed after induction of general anesthesia for intraoperative and postoperative pain control in elective foot and ankle surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The charts of 475 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. The technique was a lateral transtendinous popliteal block under nerve stimulator direction (described in the text). Patient records were retrospectively evaluated from the postanesthesia care unit, as well as at followup on postoperative day 1 and weeks 2, 6, and 12.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The block was complete in 398 patients (83.7%). An incomplete block was found in 77 patients (16.2 %). In the incomplete category, 21 patients (4.4%) had no pain but some motor function, 32 patients (6.5%) reported mild to moderate pain, and 24 patients (5.3%) had severe pain. The average block duration was 16.5 hours. There were no adverse effects documented in any patient at followup.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lateral popliteal nerve block after induction of general anesthesia appears to be safe and effective for intraoperative and postoperative pain control in elective foot and ankle surgery.
authors.affiliation: Luther Midelfort Clinic, Mayo Health Systems, 1400 Bellinger Street, Eau Claire, WI 54702, USA. herr.mark@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Herr
authors.forename: Ario B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Keyarash
authors.forename: Jesse J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.forename: Todd A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kile
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Claridge
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000842:Ankle / Q000601:surgery*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies