Cutaneous anaesthesia of hip surgery incisions with iliohypogastric and subcostal nerve blockade: A randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous nerve blockade may improve analgesia after hip surgery. Anaesthesia after the lateral femoral cutaneous (LFC) nerve block is too distal for complete coverage of most hip surgery incisions, which requires additional anaesthesia of the adjacent, proximal area. The transversalis fascia plane (TFP) block potentially anaesthetises the iliohypogastric and subcostal nerves. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate, if the TFP block provides cutaneous anaesthesia adjacent to the LFC nerve block. METHODS: Active vs placebo TFP blocks were compared in a paired randomised controlled trial (RCT) in 20 volunteers, who all had bilateral LFC nerve blocks. The day preceding the RCT, the area anaesthetised by a novel selective ultrasound guided subcostal nerve block was identified bilaterally in order to assess the contribution of the subcostal nerve to the area anaesthesia by the TFP block. RESULTS: Anaesthesia of the lateral hip region after TFP block was 80%. The cutaneous anaesthesia after active TFP block was in continuity with the LFC nerve block in 65%. Combined TFP and LFC nerve blockade significantly increased the coverage of hip surgery incisions compared to LFC nerve block alone. The success rate of blocking the subcostal nerve was 50% with the TFP block. CONCLUSION: The TFP block anaesthetises the skin proximal to the LFC nerve block by anaesthetising the iliohypogastric and subcostal nerves. TFP block as a supplement to LFC nerve block improves the coverage of the proximal surgical incisions used for hip surgery.

The Shamrock lumbar plexus block: A dose-finding study.

BACKGROUND: The Shamrock technique is a new method for ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus blockade. Data on the optimal local anaesthetic dose are not available. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to estimate the effective dose of ropivacaine 0.5% for a Shamrock lumbar plexus block. DESIGN: A prospective dose-finding study using Dixon's up-and-down sequential method. SETTING: University Hospital Orthopaedic Anaesthesia Unit. INTERVENTION: Shamrock lumbar plexus block performance and block assessment were scheduled preoperatively. Ropivacaine 0.5% was titrated with the Dixon and Massey up-and-down method using a stepwise change of 5 ml in each consecutive patient. Combined blocks of the femoral, the lateral femoral cutaneous and the obturator nerve were prerequisite for a successful lumbar plexus block. PATIENTS: Thirty patients scheduled for lower limb orthopaedic surgery completed the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The minimum effective anaesthetic volume of ropivacaine 0.5% (ED50) to achieve a successful Shamrock lumbar plexus block in 50% of the patients. Further analysis of the data was performed with a logistic regression model to calculate ED95 and to estimate the effective doses for a sensory lumbar plexus block not requiring a motor block of the femoral nerve. RESULTS: The Dixon and Massay estimate of the ED50 was 20.4 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 13.9 to 30.0] ml ropivacaine 0.5%. The logistic regression estimate of the ED95 was 36.0 (95% CI 19.7 to 52.2) ml ropivacaine 0.5%. For a sensory lumbar plexus block, the ED50 was 17.1 (95% CI 12.3 to 21.9) ml and the ED95 was 25.8 (95% CI 18.6 to 33.1) ml. CONCLUSION: A volume of 20.4 ml ropivacaine 0.5% provided a successful Shamrock lumbar plexus block in 50% of the patients. A volume of 36.0 ml would be successful in 95% of the patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01956617.

Subpectineal obturator nerve block reduces opioid consumption after hip arthroscopy: a triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hip arthroscopy causes severe pain during the first few hours in the postoperative care unit. This is probably due to the intraoperative stretching of the hip joint capsule. Pain relief requires high doses of opioids which may prolong recovery and may cause opioid-related adverse events.The majority of hip joint capsule nociceptors are located anteriorly. The obturator nerve innervates the anteromedial part of the hip joint capsule. We hypothesized that a subpectineal obturator nerve block using 15 ml bupivacaine 5 mg/mL with added epinephrine 5 µg/mL would reduce the opioid consumption after hip arthroscopy. METHODS: 40 ambulatory hip arthroscopy patients were enrolled in this randomized, triple-blind controlled trial. All patients were allocated to a preoperative active or placebo subpectineal obturator nerve block. The primary outcome was opioid consumption for the first 3 hours in the postanesthesia care unit. Secondary outcomes were pain, nausea, and hip adductor strength. RESULTS: 34 patients were analyzed for the primary outcome. The mean intravenous morphine equivalent consumption in the subpectineal obturator nerve block group was 11.9 mg vs 19.7 mg in the placebo group (p<0.001). The hip adductor strength was significantly reduced in the active group. No other intergroup differences were observed regarding the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: We found a significant reduction in the opioid consumption for patients receiving an active subpectineal obturator nerve block. The postoperative intravenous morphine equivalent reduction the first painful 3 hours was reduced by 40% for patients receiving a subpectineal obturator nerve block in this randomized, triple-blind trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: EudraCT database 2021-006575-42.

The Anterior Branch of the Medial Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Innervates Cutaneous and Deep Surgical Incisions in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background/Objectives: The intermediate femoral cutaneous nerve (IFCN), the saphenous nerve, and the medial femoral cutaneous nerve (MFCN) innervate the skin of the anteromedial knee region. However, it is unknown whether the MFCN has a deeper innervation. This would be relevant for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that intersects deeper anteromedial genicular tissue layers. Primary aim: to investigate deeper innervation of the anterior and posterior MFCN branches (MFCN-A and MFCN-P). Secondary aim: to investigate MFCN innervation of the skin covering the anteromedial knee area and medial parapatellar arthrotomy used for TKA. Methods: This study consists of (1) a dissection study and (2) unpublished data and post hoc analysis from a randomized controlled double-blinded volunteer trial (EudraCT number: 2020-004942-12). All volunteers received bilateral active IFCN blocks (nerve block round 1) and saphenous nerve blocks (nerve block round 2). In nerve block round 3, all volunteers were allocated to a selective MFCN-A block. Results: (1) The MFCN-A consistently innervated deeper structures in the anteromedial knee region in all dissected specimens. No deep innervation from the MFCN-P was observed. (2) Sixteen out of nineteen volunteers had an unanesthetized skin gap in the anteromedial knee area and eleven out of the nineteen volunteers had an unanesthetized gap on the skin covering the medial parapatellar arthrotomy before the active MFCN-A block. The anteromedial knee area and medial parapatellar arthrotomy was completely anesthetized after the MFCN-A block in 75% and 82% of cases, respectively. Conclusions: The MFCN-A shows consistent deep innervation in the anteromedial knee region and the area of MFCN-A innervation overlaps the skin area covering the medial parapatellar arthrotomy. Further trials are mandated to investigate whether an MFCN-A block translates into a clinical effect on postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty or can be used for diagnosis and interventional pain management for chronic neuropathic pain due to damage to the MFCN-A during surgery.

Efficacy of iliopsoas plane block for patients undergoing hip arthroscopy: a prospective, triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative stretching of the hip joint capsule often generates severe pain during the first 3 hours after hip arthroscopy. The short-lived severe pain mandates high opioid consumption, which may result in adverse events and delay recovery. The femoral nerve nociceptors are located anteriorly in the hip joint capsule. A femoral nerve block reduces pain and opioid demand after hip arthroscopy. It impedes, however, ambulation and home discharge after outpatient surgery. The iliopsoas plane block selectively anesthetizes the femoral sensory nerve branches innervating the hip joint capsule without compromising ambulation. We aimed to assess reduction of opioid consumption after iliopsoas plane block during the short-lived painful postsurgical period of time after hip arthroscopy. METHODS: In a randomized, triple-blind trial, 50 patients scheduled for hip arthroscopy in general anesthesia were allocated to active or placebo iliopsoas plane block. The primary outcome was opioid consumption during the first three postoperative hours in the postanesthesia care unit. Secondary outcomes included pain, nausea, and ability to ambulate. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were analyzed for the primary outcome. The mean 3-hour intravenous morphine equivalent consumption in the iliopsoas plane block group was 10.4 mg vs 23.8 mg in the placebo group (p<0.001). No intergroup differences were observed for the secondary outcomes during the postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSION: An iliopsoas plane block reduces opioid consumption after hip arthroscopy. The reduction of opioid consumption during the clinically relevant 3-hour postsurgical period of time was larger than 50% for active versus placebo iliopsoas plane block in this randomized, triple-blind trial.

Standardizing nomenclature in regional anesthesia: an ASRA-ESRA Delphi consensus study of upper and lower limb nerve blocks.

BACKGROUND: Inconsistent nomenclature and anatomical descriptions of regional anesthetic techniques hinder scientific communication and engender confusion; this in turn has implications for research, education and clinical implementation of regional anesthesia. Having produced standardized nomenclature for abdominal wall, paraspinal and chest wall regional anesthetic techniques, we aimed to similarly do so for upper and lower limb peripheral nerve blocks. METHODS: We performed a three-round Delphi international consensus study to generate standardized names and anatomical descriptions of upper and lower limb regional anesthetic techniques. A long list of names and anatomical description of blocks of upper and lower extremities was produced by the members of the steering committee. Subsequently, two rounds of anonymized voting and commenting were followed by a third virtual round table to secure consensus for items that remained outstanding after the first and second rounds. As with previous methodology, strong consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement and weak consensus as 50%-74% agreement. RESULTS: A total of 94, 91 and 65 collaborators participated in the first, second and third rounds, respectively. We achieved strong consensus for 38 names and 33 anatomical descriptions, and weak consensus for five anatomical descriptions. We agreed on a template for naming peripheral nerve blocks based on the name of the nerve and the anatomical location of the blockade and identified several areas for future research. CONCLUSIONS: We achieved consensus on nomenclature and anatomical descriptions of regional anesthetic techniques for upper and lower limb nerve blocks, and recommend using this framework in clinical and academic practice. This should improve research, teaching and learning of regional anesthesia to eventually improve patient care.

Anatomical considerations for obturator nerve block with fascia iliaca compartment block.

This report reviews the topographical and functional anatomy relevant for assessing whether or not the obturator nerve (ON) can be anesthetized using a fascia iliaca compartment (FIC) block. The ON does not cross the FIC. This means that the ON would only be blocked by an FIC block if the injectate spreads to the ON outside of the FIC. Such a phenomena would require the creation of one or more artificial passageways to the ON in the retro-psoas compartment or the retroperitoneal compartment by disrupting the normal anatomical integrity of the FI. Due to this requirement for an artificial pathway, an FIC block probably does not block the ON.

Transmuscular quadratus lumborum block for total laparoscopic hysterectomy: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The population of patients scheduled for total laparoscopic hysterectomy at our surgical center is heterogeneous concerning a multitude of demographic variables such as age, collateral surgery and malign or benign pathogenesis. A common denominator is moderate to severe postoperative pain and a substantial opioid consumption. A recent procedure specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) review found no gain from the regional techniques included. The transmuscular quadratus lumborum (TQL) block has shown promising results in recent trials for other types of surgery. The aim of the current study was to investigate the analgesic efficacy of the ultrasound-guided TQL block for total laparoscopic hysterectomy. METHODS: We enrolled 70 patients and randomly allocated participants to preoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided TQL block with either 60 mL 0.375% ropivacaine or 60 mL isotonic saline. Preoperatively, all patients received the TQL block (active or placebo) as well as a standardized multimodal analgesic regimen consisting of oral paracetamol, ibuprofen and dexamethasone. Intraoperatively, intravenous sufentanil 0.2 µg/kg was administered 30 min prior to emergence. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Opioid consumption during the first 12 postoperative hours. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Pain scores, times to first opioid demand and first ambulation, nausea and vomiting, and total opioid consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours. RESULTS: No significant intergroup differences were observed for any outcome. Mean (SD) oral morphine equivalent consumption the first 12 postoperative hours was 58.4 mg (48.3) vs 62.9 mg (48.5), p=0.70, for group ropivacaine versus group saline. CONCLUSION: Preoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided TQL block did not reduce opioid consumption after total laparoscopic hysterectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT03650998, EudraCT (2017-004593-34).

Transmuscular quadratus lumborum block reduces opioid consumption and prolongs time to first opioid demand after laparoscopic nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Robotic and hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies are often associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. The aim of the current study was to investigate the analgesic efficacy of the transmuscular quadratus lumborum (TQL) block for patients undergoing robotic or hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy. METHODS: Fifty patients were included in this single-center study. All patients were scheduled for elective hand-assisted or robotic laparoscopic nephrectomy under general anesthesia. Preoperatively, patients were randomly allocated to TQL block bilaterally with ropivacaine 60 mL 0.375% or 60 mL saline and all patients received standard multimodal analgesia and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. Primary outcome was postoperative oral morphine equivalent (OME) consumption 0-12 hours. Secondary outcomes were postoperative OME consumption up to 24 hours, pain scores, time to first opioid, nausea/vomiting, time to first ambulation and hospital length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: Mean (95% CI) OME consumption was significantly lower in the intervention group at 12 hours after surgery 50 (28.5 to 71.5) mg versus control 87.5 (62.7 to 112.3) mg, p=0.02. At 24 hours, 69.4 (43.2 to 95.5) mg versus 127 (96.7 to 158.6) mg, p<0.01. Time to first opioid was significantly prolonged in the intervention group median (IQR) 4.4 (2.8-17.6) hours compared with 0.3 (0.1-1.0) hours in the control group, p<0.001. No significant intergroup differences were recorded for time to first ambulation, pain scores, nausea/vomiting nor for LOS. CONCLUSION: Preoperative bilateral TQL block significantly reduced postoperative opioid consumption by 43% and significantly prolonged time to first opioid. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03571490.

Anesthesia of the anterior femoral cutaneous nerves for total knee arthroplasty incision: randomized volunteer trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For pain relief after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), an injection at the midthigh level may produce analgesia inferior to that of a femoral nerve block as the anterior femoral cutaneous nerves (intermediate femoral cutaneous nerve (IFCN) and medial femoral cutaneous nerve (MFCN)) are not anesthetized. The IFCN can be selectively anesthetized in the subcutaneous tissue above the sartorius muscle and the MFCN by an injection in the proximal part of the femoral triangle (FT). The primary aim was to investigate the area of cutaneous anesthesia in relation to the surgical incision for TKA and anteromedial knee area after intermediate femoral cutaneous nerve blockade (IFCNB) in combination with an injection in the proximal or distal part of the FT (proximal vs distal femoral triangle block (FTB)). METHODS: The study was carried out as two separate investigations: first, dissection of nine cadaver sides to verify a technique for IFCNB; second, a volunteer study with 40 healthy volunteers. The surgical midline incision for TKA was drawn bilaterally. All volunteers received an active distal FTB combined with a placebo proximal FTB on one side and vice versa on the other side. All volunteers were randomized to an active IFCNB on one side and placebo IFCNB on the contralateral side. RESULTS: Identification of IFCN was successful in all cadaver sides. Fifteen out of 20 volunteers had complete anesthesia of the incision line after IFCNB combined with proximal FTB, which was significantly higher compared with proximal FTB alone and with distal FTB+IFCNB. A gap at the anteromedial knee area was present in 2/20 volunteers with proximal FTB compared with 17/20 with distal FTB when all volunteers had active IFCNB. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided blockade of the IFCN and MFCN anesthetize the surgical midline incision and the anteromedial area of the knee relevant for TKA. In contrast, an injection at the midthigh level produces insufficient cutaneous anesthesia not covering the areas of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: EudraCT: 2018-004986-15.

Ultrasound-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum block for elective cesarean section significantly reduces postoperative opioid consumption and prolongs time to first opioid request: a double-blind randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Elective cesarean section (ECS) can cause moderate to severe pain that often requires opioid administration. To enhance maternal recovery, and promote mother and baby interaction, it is important to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption. Various regional anesthesia techniques have been implemented to improve postoperative pain management following ECS. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of bilateral ultrasound-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum (TQL) block on reducing postoperative opioid consumption following ECS. METHODS: A randomized double-blind trial with concealed allocation was conducted in 72 parturients who received bilateral TQL block with either 30 mL ropivacaine 0.375% or saline. TQL block injectate was deposited in the interfascial plane between the quadratus lumborum and psoas major muscles, posterior to the transversalis fascia. Primary outcome was opioid consumption, which was recorded electronically. Pain scores and time to first opioid request were also evaluated. RESULTS: Opioid consumption (oral morphine equivalents, OME) was significantly reduced in group ropivacaine (GRO) in the first 24 hours compared with group saline (65 mg OME vs 94 mg OME) with a mean difference of 29 mg OME; 95% CI 3 to 55, p<0.03. Time to first opioid request was significantly prolonged in GRO, p<0.003. Numerical rating scale pain scores were significantly lower in GRO in the first 6 hours after surgery, p<0.03. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral TQL block significantly reduced 24 hours' opioid consumption. Further, we observed significant prolongation in time to first opioid, and significant reduction of pain during the first 6 postoperative hours.

Randomized trial of ultrasound-guided superior cluneal nerve block.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The superior cluneal nerves originate from the dorsal rami of primarily the upper lumbar spinal nerves. The nerves cross the iliac spine to innervate the skin and subcutaneous tissue over the gluteal region. The nerves extend as far as the greater trochanter and the area of innervation may overlap anterolaterally with the iliohypogastric and the lateral femoral cutaneous (LFC) nerves. A selective ultrasound-guided nerve block technique of the superior cluneal nerves does not exist. A reliable nerve block technique may have application in the management of postoperative pain after hip surgery as well as other clinical conditions, for example, chronic lower back pain. In the present study, the primary aim was to describe a novel ultrasound-guided superior cluneal nerve block technique and to map the area of cutaneous anesthesia and its coverage of the hip surgery incisions. METHODS: The study was carried out as two separate investigations. First, dissection of 12 cadaver sides was conducted in order to test a novel superior cluneal nerve block technique. Second, this nerve block technique was applied in a randomized trial of 20 healthy volunteers. Initially, the LFC, the subcostal and the iliohypogastric nerves were blocked bilaterally. A transversalis fascia plane (TFP) block technique was used to block the iliohypogastric nerve. Subsequently, randomized, blinded superior cluneal nerve blocks were conducted with active block on one side and placebo block contralaterally. RESULTS: Successful anesthesia after the superior cluneal nerve block was achieved in 18 of 20 active sides (90%). The area of anesthesia after all successful superior cluneal nerve blocks was adjacent and posterior to the area anesthetized by the combined TFP and subcostal nerve blocks. The addition of the superior cluneal nerve block significantly increased the anesthetic coverage of the various types of hip surgery incisions. CONCLUSION: The novel ultrasound-guided nerve block technique reliably anesthetizes the superior cluneal nerves. It anesthetizes the skin posterior to the area innervated by the iliohypogastric and subcostal nerves. It improves the anesthetic coverage of incisions used for hip surgery. Among potential indications, this new nerve block may improve postoperative analgesia after hip surgery and may be useful as a diagnostic block for various chronic pain conditions. Clinical trials are mandated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: EudraCT, 2016-004541-82.

An Obturator Nerve Block does not Alleviate Postoperative Pain after Total Hip Arthroplasty: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A substantial group of patients suffer from moderate to severe pain following elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). Due to the complex innervation of the hip, peripheral nerve block techniques can be challenging and are not widely used. Since the obturator nerve innervates both the anteromedial part of the joint capsule as well as intra-articular nociceptors, we hypothesized that an obturator nerve block (ONB) would decrease the opioid consumption after THA. METHODS: Sixty-two patients were randomized to receive ONB or placebo (PCB) after primary THA in spinal anesthesia. Primary outcome measure was opioid consumption during the first 12 postoperative hours. Secondary outcome measures included postoperative pain score, nausea score and ability to ambulate. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included in the analysis. Mean (SD) opioid consumption during the first 12 postoperative hours was 39.9 (22.3) mg peroral morphine equivalents (PME) in the ONB group and 40.5 (30.5) mg PME in the PCB group (p=0.93). No difference in level of pain or nausea was found between the groups. Paralysis of the hip adductor muscles in the ONB group reduced the control of the operated lower extremity compared with the PCB group (p=0.026). This did, however, not affect the subjects' ability to ambulate. CONCLUSIONS: A significant reduction in postoperative opioid consumption was not found for active versus PCB ONB after THA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03064165 and 2017-000068-14.

Erector Spinae Plane Block for Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Ambulatory Surgical Setting.

Postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be severe. Despite multimodal analgesia regimes, administration of high doses of opioids is often necessary. This can further lead to several adverse effects such as drowsiness and respiratory impairment as well as postoperative nausea and vomiting. This will hinder early mobilization and discharge of the patient from the day surgery setting and is suboptimal in an Early Recovery after Surgery setting. The ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block is a novel truncal interfascial block technique providing analgesia of the thoracic or abdominal segmental innervation depending on the level of administration. Local anesthetic penetrates anteriorly presumably through the costotransverse foramina to the paravertebral space. We demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of the ESP block in a case series of three patients scheduled for ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Analgesia of Combined Femoral Triangle and Obturator Nerve Blockade Is Superior to Local Infiltration Analgesia After Total Knee Arthroplasty With High-Dose Intravenous Dexamethasone.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: High-dose intravenous dexamethasone reduces the postoperative opioid requirement and is often included in the multimodal analgesia strategy after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Combined obturator nerve and femoral triangle blockade (OFB) reduces the opioid consumption and pain after TKA better than local infiltration analgesia (LIA). The question is whether preoperative high-dose intravenous dexamethasone would cancel out the superior analgesic effect of OFB compared with LIA. The aim was to evaluate the analgesic effect of OFB versus LIA after TKA when all patients received high-dose intravenous dexamethasone. METHODS: Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned either to OFB or LIA after primary unilateral TKA. All patients received 16 mg dexamethasone. Primary outcome was morphine consumption via patient-controlled analgesia during the first 20 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes were pain, nausea, dizziness, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included in the analysis. Median total intravenous morphine consumption during the first 20 postoperative hours was 6 mg (interquartile range [IQR], 2-18 mg) in the OFB group and 20 mg (IQR, 12-28 mg) in the LIA group. The 14-mg difference (95% confidence interval, 6.4-18.0 mg) was significant (P < 0.001). There was no difference in pain score at rest at 20 hours postoperatively: 2 (IQR, 1-4) in the OFB group and 3 (IQR, 2-5) in the LIA group. CONCLUSIONS: Combined OFB reduces morphine consumption better than LIA after TKA even when all patients received high-dose intravenous dexamethasone. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02374008.

The Importance of the Saphenous Nerve Block for Analgesia Following Major Ankle Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Major ankle surgery causes intense postoperative pain, and whereas the importance of a sciatic nerve block is well established, the clinical significance of a supplemental saphenous nerve block has never been determined in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. We hypothesized that a saphenous nerve block reduces the proportion of patients experiencing significant clinical pain after major ankle surgery. METHODS: Eighteen patients were enrolled and received a popliteal sciatic nerve block. Patients were randomized to single-injection saphenous nerve block with 10 mL 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine or 10 mL saline (Fig. 1). Primary outcome was the proportion of patients reporting significant clinical pain, defined as a score greater than 3 on the numerical rating scale. Secondary outcomes were maximal pain and analgesia of the cutaneous territory of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve. RESULTS: Eight of 9 patients in the placebo group reported significant clinical pain versus 1 of 9 patients in the bupivacaine-epinephrine group (P = 0.003). Maximal pain was significantly lower in the active compared with the placebo group (median, 0 [0-0] vs 5 [4-6]; P = 0.001). Breakthrough pain from the saphenous territory began within 30 minutes after surgery in all cases. Sensory testing of the cutaneous territory of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve showed correlation between pain reported in the anteromedial ankle region and the intensity of cutaneous sensory block in the anteromedial knee region. CONCLUSIONS: The saphenous nerve is an important contributor to postoperative pain after major ankle surgery, with significant clinical pain appearing within 30 minutes after surgery. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02697955.

The Spread of Ultrasound-Guided Injectate From the Adductor Canal to the Genicular Branch of the Posterior Obturator Nerve and the Popliteal Plexus: A Cadaveric Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The popliteal nerve plexus contributes to afferent knee-pain conduction. It is mainly formed by genicular branches from the posterior obturator and the tibial nerves, innervating the intra-articular and posterior knee region. A subinguinal obturator nerve block alleviates pain after total knee arthroplasty. Reduced hip adductor motor function could be avoided by a posterior obturator nerve block inside the popliteal fossa.The aim of this study was to evaluate the spread of dye after a distal adductor canal (AC) injection to the popliteal fossa and coloring of the popliteal plexus and the genicular branch of the posterior obturator nerve by dissection. We also assessed the spread of dye into the popliteal fossa after a distal femoral triangle injection. METHODS: Ten milliliters of dye was injected into the distal part of the AC in 10 cadaver sides and into the distal part of the femoral triangle in 3 sides. Dissection was used to assess the spread of the injectate and coloring of the popliteal plexus and the genicular branch of the posterior obturator nerve, as well as the saphenous and medial vastus nerves. RESULTS: The popliteal plexus and the genicular branch of the posterior obturator nerve were dyed in all 10 dissections after AC injections. No dye spread into the popliteal fossa after femoral triangle injections. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of 10 mL of dye into the distal part of the AC spreads into the popliteal fossa and colors the popliteal plexus and the genicular branch of the posterior obturator nerve.

A Cadaveric Study of Ultrasound-Guided Subpectineal Injectate Spread Around the Obturator Nerve and Its Hip Articular Branches.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The femoral and obturator nerves are assumed to account for the primary nociceptive innervation of the hip joint capsule. The fascia iliaca compartment block and the so-called 3-in-1-block have been used in patients with hip fracture based on a presumption that local anesthetic spreads to anesthetize both the femoral and the obturator nerves. Evidence demonstrates that this presumption is unfounded, and knowledge about the analgesic effect of obturator nerve blockade in hip fracture patients presurgically is thus nonexistent. The objectives of this cadaveric study were to investigate the proximal spread of the injectate resulting from the administration of an ultrasound-guided obturator nerve block and to evaluate the spread around the obturator nerve branches to the hip joint capsule. METHODS: Fifteen milliliters of methylene blue was injected into the interfascial plane between the pectineus and external obturator muscles in 7 adult cadavers. The spread of the injectate into the obturator canal and around the obturator and accessory obturator nerve branches to the hip joint was evaluated by subsequent dissection. RESULTS: The injected dye spread into the obturator canal and colored all obturator branches to the hip joint capsule in all 14 sides. Furthermore, the accessory obturator nerve was present in 3 sides (21%), and the nerve and its branches to the hip joint capsule were colored in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: In cadavers, injection of 15 mL of methylene blue into the interfascial plane between the pectineus and the external obturator muscle effectively spreads proximally to reach the obturator canal, as well as the obturator nerve branches to the hip joint capsule and the accessory obturator nerve.

Effect of Perineural Dexamethasone on the Duration of Single Injection Saphenous Nerve Block for Analgesia After Major Ankle Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients undergoing major elective ankle surgery often experience pain from the saphenous nerve territory persisting beyond the duration of a single-injection saphenous nerve block. We hypothesized that perineural dexamethasone as an adjuvant for the saphenous nerve block prolongs the duration of analgesia and postpones as well as reduces opioid-requiring pain. METHODS: Forty patients were included in this prospective, randomized, controlled study. All patients received a continuous sciatic catheter and were randomized to receive a single-injection saphenous nerve block with 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine with addition of 1 mL of saline or 1 mL of 0.4% (ie, 4 mg) dexamethasone. The primary outcome was duration of saphenous nerve block estimated as the time until the first opioid request. Secondary outcomes were opioid consumption and pain. RESULTS: The mean (SD) duration of the saphenous nerve block until first opioid request was 29.4 (8.4) hours in the dexamethasone group and 23.2 (10.3) hours in the control group (P = 0.048). The median opioid consumption [interquartile range] during the first 24 hours was 0 mg [0-0] versus 1.5 mg [0-14.2] in the dexamethasone and control groups, respectively. Nonparametric comparison of opioid consumption from 0 to 24 hours was statistically significant. The opioid consumption was similar in the two groups in the time interval 24 to 48 postoperative hours. CONCLUSION: Perineural dexamethasone as an adjuvant for the single-injection subsartorial saphenous nerve block can prolong analgesia and reduce opioid-requiring pain after major ankle surgery.