Fascia iliaca compartment blocks: Different techniques and review of the literature

The fascia iliaca compartment block has been promoted as a valuable regional anesthesia and analgesia technique for lower limb surgery. Numerous studies have been performed, but the evidence on the true benefits of the fascia iliaca compartment block is still limited. Recent anatomical, radiological, and clinical research has demonstrated the limitations of the landmark infrainguinal technique. Nevertheless, this technique is still valuable in situations where ultrasound cannot be used because of lack of equipment or training. With the introduction of ultrasound, a new suprainguinal approach of the fascia iliaca has been described. Research has demonstrated that this technique leads to a more reliable block of the target nerves than the infrainguinal techniques. However, more research is needed to determine the place of this technique in clinical practice.