Related Experiment Videos
Saphenous nerve anaesthesia--a nerve stimulator technique
V K Comfort1, S A Lang, R W Yip
1Department of Anaesthesia, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Summary
The nerve stimulator (NS) technique for saphenous nerve blocks is feasible and effective, providing superior anesthesia compared to the loss of resistance (LOR) method. This study demonstrates its clinical utility for lower limb surgery.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Surgical Techniques
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Background:
- Saphenous nerve blocks are crucial for lower limb anesthesia.
- Traditional methods like loss of resistance (LOR) have limitations in efficacy.
- Electrical nerve stimulation offers a potential alternative for precise nerve localization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of identifying the saphenous nerve using a nerve stimulator (NS).
- To evaluate the efficacy of saphenous nerve anesthesia achieved with electrical isolation.
- To compare the NS technique with the LOR technique for saphenous nerve blocks.
Main Methods:
- Part I: 25 volunteers received saphenous nerve blocks via NS and LOR techniques.
- Data collected included pain scores, completion time, onset time, and block success.
- Part II: Clinical utility of the NS technique was assessed in 21 patients undergoing below-knee surgery.
Main Results:
- The NS technique achieved 100% success in volunteers, superior to LOR (72%).
- NS blocks took longer (13 min vs 8 min) and had slightly higher pain scores (median 2 cm vs 1 cm).
- In patients, the NS technique demonstrated a 95% success rate for saphenous nerve blocks.
Conclusions:
- Electrical identification of the saphenous nerve is feasible using a nerve stimulator.
- The NS technique provides superior saphenous nerve anesthesia compared to LOR.
- The NS technique is clinically useful for saphenous nerve blocks in surgical procedures.