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Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat
Published on: November 21, 2025
346
Catheter-based distal sciatic nerve block in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Hubert J Schmitt1, Sandra Huberth, Horst Huber
1Department of Anesthesia, Friedrich-Alexander Universität, Krankenhausstraße 12, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. hubert.schmitt@kfa.imed.uni-erlangen.de.
BMC Anesthesiology
|February 15, 2014
Summary
Peripheral nerve blocks, specifically sciatic nerve blocks, offer safe and effective postoperative pain control for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) patients undergoing foot surgery. Even challenging placements resulted in reduced analgesic needs.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Neurology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Peripheral nerve blocks are rarely documented in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.
- Previous reports suggest potential efficacy for postoperative pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of distal catheter-based sciatic nerve blocks for postoperative pain control in CMT patients.
- To assess analgesic consumption and patient outcomes after the procedure.
Main Methods:
- A distal sciatic nerve block using a catheter was offered to 27 CMT patients undergoing elective foot surgery; 18 consented.
- Nerve localization was guided by a nerve stimulator, with catheter insertion to deliver ropivacaine.
- Postoperative pain was managed by boluses to maintain a visual analog score < 3, with recorded analgesic and ropivacaine consumption.
Main Results:
- Catheter placement was successful in 17 patients, with 7 experiencing difficult placements.
- Patients receiving the nerve block consumed less analgesics than those without.
- Surprisingly, patients with difficult catheter placements showed the lowest overall ropivacaine and analgesic consumption.
Conclusions:
- Catheter-based distal sciatic nerve blocks were safely used for pain relief up to three days in CMT patients.
- Local anesthetic infusion via catheter was not associated with any reported complications.
