Anesthesia results and adverse effects of ultrasound-guided selective sitting nerve block for foot surgery at Hai Phong Medical University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Most foot and ankle surgical procedures involve both the tibial and common peroneal nerve components, so it is essential to anesthetize both nerve components. Ischemic nerve block in the popliteal position has been shown to provide good analgesia, reduce postoperative opioid use, improve patient satisfaction, and improve postoperative outcomes. Research method: The study was conducted on 40 patients undergoing surgery in the ankle area at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from August 2024 to February 2025. Patients were given sitting nerve anesthesia in the popliteal position with 0.25% Levobupivacaine, pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), Fentanyl consumption, adverse effects and patient satisfaction within 24 hours after surgery. Results: Sitting nerve block in the popliteal position provided good pain relief with the average VAS of movement and VAS of rest at all study times being less than 2. All patients participating in the study were satisfied or very satisfied with the pain relief of the technique. Conclusion: Popliteal nerve block is an effective method for postoperative pain relief, reducing the need for rescue fentanyl and improving patient satisfaction after metatarsalgia surgery.