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Continuous lateral sciatic blocks for acute postoperative pain management after major ankle and foot surgery
Jacques E Chelly1, Jennifer Greger, Andrea Casati
1Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 77030-1503, USA. chelje@anes.upmc.edu
Unlabelled:
We developed a continuous lateral sciatic nerve infusion technique for postoperative analgesia.
Methods:
A 10-cm insulated Tuohy needle connected to a nerve stimulator was introduced posteriorly between the biceps femoris and vastus lateralis groove 10 cm cephalad from the tip of the patella. After proper positioning of the insulated needle, a 20-gauge catheter was placed in proximity to the sciatic nerve.
Results:
Continuous lateral sciatic infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine was associated with a significant reduction of morphine consumption by 29% and 62% during postoperative days one and two, respectively, in patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the ankle.
Conclusion:
Continuous lateral sciatic infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine represents an alternative for acute postoperative pain control after major ankle and foot surgery.