Combined tibial and common peroneal nerve anaesthesia was used for foot and ankle surgery in fifty-six adults. Where necessary, the saphenous nerve was also blocked. A calibrated constant current nerve stimulator was used to localise the nerves in the popliteal fossa. Using lignocaine 1%, an opioid premedication, but no other sedation or top-up injection, 60% of the blocks were successful. If a patient felt pain at incision or during surgery, the block was recorded as a failure.
KempthorneP.M., BrownT.C.K.Nerve blocks around the knee in children.Anaesth Intens Care1984; 12: 14–17.
2.
PitherC.E., RajP., FordDj.The use of peripheral nerve stimulators for regional anaesthesia. A review of experimental characteristics, technique and clinical applications.Regional Anesth.1985; 10: 49–58.
3.
RorieD.K., ByerD.E., NelsonD.O., SittipongR., JohNsonK.A.Assessment of block of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa.Anesth Analg1980; 59: 371–376.
EllisH., FeldmanS.Anatomy for Anaesthetists.Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford1983; 223.
6.
SelanderD., SjostrandJ.Longitudinal spread of intraneurally injected local anaesthetics.Acta Anaesth Scand.1978; 22: 662–634.
7.
GoldbergM.E., GreggC., LarijaniG.E., NorrisM.C., MarrA.T., SeltzerJ.L.A comparison of three methods of axillary approach to brachial plexus blockade for upper extremity surgery.Anesthesiology1987; 66: 814–816.
