Regional Anaesthesia Techniques for Orthopaedic Surgery

In recent years, there has been a significant resurgence of interest in regional anaesthesia techniques. Despite various advantages, regional anaesthesia is not used to its full potential in orthopaedic surgeries.

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of regional anaesthesia techniques in 400 consecutive patients, posted for orthopaedic surgeries in a tertiary care centre. Data was analysed for patient profile, type of surgery, nature of anaesthetic technique used, success rate, complications and satisfaction level of patients.

Age of patients ranged from three months to 92 years with male preponderance (84.5 %). Regional anaesthesia was used in 85% cases. Most frequently used technique for upper limbs was supraclavicular brachial plexus block (12.05 %) followed by interscalene block (5.58 %) and intravenous regional anaesthesia or Bier's block (2.64 %). For lower limbs, subarachnoid block was used in 50 % cases followed by combined spinal-epidural technique (21.47 %) and paravertebral block (4.70 %). Less commonly used techniques like lumbar plexus block, popliteal fossa block, sciatic + femoral nerve blocks were found to be useful but incidence of partial blocks was high. Overall success rate was 96.17 %. In 22.05 % cases supplementation with analgesic / sedative was needed, whereas in 3.82 % cases, technique was converted into general anaesthesia. There was no major complication. Six patients had reversible sensory neuropathy. In 91.64 % cases, satisfaction level was good to excellent.

Skilfully performed techniques in regional anaesthesia can facilitate excellent surgical anaesthesia and postoperative pain management.