2019, Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part D
A prospective study on evaluation of efficacy of combined psoas compartment and sciatic nerve blocks for postoperative analgesia in elective lower limb surgeries
Author(s): Yuvaraj Shastri and Ravi Teja Jampani
Abstract: Background: Postoperative pain management following lower limb surgeries is a critical aspect of patient care. The combination of psoas compartment block (PCB) and sciatic nerve block (SNB) has been suggested as an effective method for analgesia in these procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and duration of sensory and motor blockade provided by combined PCB and SNB in patients undergoing elective lower limb surgeries.Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted between July 2018 and June 2019, including 50 adult patients (18-60 years, ASA I-II) scheduled for elective lower limb surgeries. Patients were randomly assigned to receive combined PCB and SNB using the posterior approach for PCB (Winnie’s technique) and Labat’s technique for SNB. The sensory blockade was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at multiple intervals, and motor blockade was assessed using the Bromage score. Time to rescue analgesia was also recorded.Results: The study revealed that sensory blockade was highly effective, with 96% of patients experiencing no pain (VAS score 1) at 30 minutes and 98% at 1 hour. However, the incidence of mild to moderate pain increased progressively, with 66% of patients reporting moderate pain at 8 hours. Motor blockade was complete in all patients at 2 hours, but by 8 hours, only 32% retained partial motor block, with most patients showing detectable weakness. Rescue analgesia was most frequently required between 9-11 hours post-surgery.Conclusion: Combined PCB and SNB are highly effective in providing immediate postoperative pain relief in lower limb surgeries. However, the relatively short duration of the blockade highlights the necessity of timely rescue analgesia. Further studies may be required to explore techniques that prolong the efficacy of these blocks.
DOI: 10.33545/26643766.2019.v2.i2d.526
Pages: 277-280 | Views: 61 | Downloads: 27
Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Yuvaraj Shastri, Ravi Teja Jampani. A prospective study on evaluation of efficacy of combined psoas compartment and sciatic nerve blocks for postoperative analgesia in elective lower limb surgeries. Int J Med Anesthesiology 2019;2(2):277-280. DOI: 10.33545/26643766.2019.v2.i2d.526
