Regional anesthesia in foot and ankle surgery

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Podiatric Medicine

Background:

• Regional anesthesia is a crucial component of modern surgical practice.
• Effective anesthesia management is essential for patient comfort and surgical outcomes in foot and ankle procedures.
• Traditional anesthesia methods may present limitations for specific surgical sites like the forefoot and midfoot.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate a specific method of regional anesthesia for forefoot and midfoot surgery.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of this regional anesthesia technique.
• To determine patient satisfaction and complication rates associated with the described anesthesia method.

Main Methods:

• A regional anesthesia technique involving careful identification of peripheral sensory nerves was employed.
• Anesthesia was achieved using a combination of bupivacaine and lidocaine.
• Sedation was administered for enhanced patient comfort during the procedure.
• A retrospective review of 355 patients who underwent forefoot or midfoot surgery using this technique was conducted.

Main Results:

• The regional anesthesia technique resulted in an effective surgical block of sensory nerves in 98% of the 355 reviewed patients.
• Complications associated with the anesthesia method were found to be minimal.
• Patient satisfaction levels were reported as high following the procedure.

Conclusions:

• The described method of regional anesthesia is a safe and effective option for forefoot and midfoot surgery.
• This technique provides a viable alternative to general anesthesia for specific foot and ankle procedures.
• High efficacy and patient satisfaction underscore the clinical utility of this anesthesia approach.