Sciatic nerve block for children. Sciatic nerve block by the anterior approach for postoperative pain relief

This study aimed to establish whether it was practical to perform sciatic nerve block by the anterior approach in a group of children of different ages and weights. A total of 82 blocks were performed of which 78 (95.2%) were judged to have been successful. The technique of the block differed slightly from that used in adult practice, in that great reliance was placed on the loss of resistance felt as the needle point passed through the thigh muscles into the sciatic neurovascular compartment. There were no immediate or late complications associated with this block in any of the patients. It is concluded that the block is easy to perform and can produce reliable postoperative analgesia for most common operations on the foot and ankle in paediatric practice.