Background and objectives: The clinical utility of a new parasacral approach for conduction block of the sciatic nerve was investigated, with critical examination of onset, extent, and success rates when this block was used for surgical procedures below the knee.
Methods: Thirty ASA I-III patients presenting for surgery on the lower limb were enrolled. All received 30 mL of 1.5% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine following nerve stimulator identification of the sciatic nerve at < or =0.2 mA or less. Trans-sartorial saphenous nerve blocks were performed to provide anesthesia to the medial leg.
Results: Overall success for surgical anesthesia with this block was 97%. All components of the sacral plexus could be blocked with this approach, and 93% of patients displayed evidence of obturator nerve motor block. However, no patient displayed evidence of obturator sensory anesthesia that could be mapped. Saphenous nerve blocks were 100% effective in providing surgical anesthesia for the procedures performed.
Conclusions: The parasacral approach to the sciatic nerve exhibits a high success rate, resulting in anesthesia of the entire sacral plexus and generally in motor block of the obturator nerve was an interesting observation.