title: [Comparison of hemodynamics, recovery profile and postoperative analgesia of unilateral spinal anaesthesia with combined sciatic-femoral nerve block in knee arthroscopy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this randomized, controlled, blind study, a combined sciatic-femoral nerve block with levobupivacaine was compared with a unilateral spinal anaesthesia with respect to effectiveness, patient and surgeon satisfaction, and the effect on postoperative pain in arthroscopic knee surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (n=20) received a combined sciatic-femoral nerve block with levobupivacaine 0.5% totalling 40 ml. In group II (n=20), a spinal anaesthesia in the lateral decubitus position (ULSA) with 7.5 mg levobupivacaine 0.5% was performed, and patients were kept in the same position to achieve an anaesthesia level of T12 (maximum 10 minutes). The development of motor and sensorial block on both sides and onset time to surgical anaesthesia were recorded. The time required for the postoperative recovery score to be ≥12 was recorded. In the postoperative period, postoperative analgesia (VAS), motor block, side effects, and patient and surgeon satisfaction were recorded at the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time of readiness for surgery was significantly shorter in Group II (p<0.05). All patients were satisfied with both techniques. There were no differences in judgement between the groups. VAS scores at the 6th hour were significantly lower in group I than in group II (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined sciatic-femoral nerve block for outpatient arthroscopic knee surgery offers satisfactory anaesthesia, with a clinical profile similar to that of low-dose spinal anesthesia. Sciatic-femoral nerve blocks are associated with significantly lower pain scores during the first 6 postoperative hours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Giresun Prof. Dr. A. İlhan Özdemir Hospital, Giresun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhammed Murat
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kurnaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayşın
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ersoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine, Kars, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aysel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altan
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zekeriya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ervatan
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nurdan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ünlü
mesh_terms: D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005267:Femoral Nerve; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D002045:Bupivacaine