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Assessment of Block of the Sciatic Nerve in the Popliteal Fossa

Duane K. Rorie, MD^*, David E. Byer, MD^*, David O. Nelson, MD^*, Rungson Sittipong, MD^*, and Kenneth A. Johnson, MD

* Consultant, Department of Anesthesiology. Departments of Anesthesiology and Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55901. Consultant, Department of Orthopedics. Departments of Anesthesiology and Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55901.

Abstract

Success of block of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa in 130 patients was assessed by an anesthesiologist at the time of surgery. The patients were evaluated for complications by the anesthesiologist during postoperative rounds and by the orthopedic surgeon at the 1-month follow-up visit. Acceptance of the block by the patient was judged by answers on a questionnaire filled out by the patients after they had gone home. The questionnaire was designed to determine satisfaction with the block, discomfort associated with performance of the block, and whether sensations suggestive of paresthesias or other complications not evident at the time of discharge from the hospital had occurred. Of 119 patients responding to the questionnaire, 105 (88.2%) expressed overall satisfaction with the anesthesia. Two patients described sensations compatible with postoperative paresthesias, and two others described sensations that may have been paresthesias; in none did the sensations last longer than 1 month. Assessment of the blocks by the anesthesiologist in all 130 patients in the study revealed that anesthesia satisfactory for completion of the operative procedure was achieved in 107 (82.3%). General anesthesia was needed in eight patients (6.2%), and in 15 patients (11.5%) intravenous sedation or injection of the site of surgical incision with local anesthesia (or both) was needed.

Key Words: ANESTHETIC TECHNIQUES: Regional, sciatic block • ANATOMY, sciatic nerve

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