Abstract
The use of peripheral nerve blocks for postoperative pain relief following foot & ankle surgery is not widespread. We conducted a prospective study evaluating the efficacy and safety of such blocks in 30 patients who underwent foot & ankle surgery over a period of three months. Sciatic/popliteal nerve blocks were carried out for hindfoot operations and ankle blocks were used in forefoot surgery. All the ankle blocks were administered preoperatively by us while the sciatic nerve blocks were administered by the anaesthetist. Postoperative pain was assessed using visual analog scales and a record was also made of the analgesic requirements at fixed time intervals. Ninety-three percent of the patients were satisfied with their pain control and recorded a pain score of 0 – 1. Only seven percent required analgesics in the immediate postoperative period and a further 30% requested analgesia after 7 – 12 hours. Sixty-three percent had good pain relief at an average of 18 hours postoperatively and did not use any additional analgesics.
We conclude that peripheral nerve blocks are very effective in post- operative pain management and this may allow many of the commonly performed foot and ankle procedures to be done as day case surgeries.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr J. L. Barrie. Correspondence should be addressed to Mr J. L. Barrie, BOFSS Editor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 3LR.
