Retrospective evaluation of double nerve stimulation technique for sciatic nerve block by popliteal approach [Çift sinir uyari yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilen popliteal yaklaşimla siyatik blogu uygulamalarinin geriye dönük degerlendirilmesi]

Aim: Sciatic nerve block with double nerve stimulation is a technique that provides both rapid motor block and a higher rate of success. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the patient satisfaction, and efficiency, and complications of this method in order to demonstrate its success and reasons for its preference during routine applications. Material and Method: ASA-I/III 106 patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery under sciatic nerve blockade by double stimulation technique were evaluated retrospectively. Sciatic block was performed with a 100 mm Stimuplex ® needle and a nerve stimulator in all patients. The stimulator was set to deliver pulses at 1 mA, 2 Hz frequency for 0.1 ms. N.tibialis and N.peronealis were separately located at the point of motor response with a stimulating current of 0.4mA and local anesthetic (LA) mixture was injected separately into each nerve (LA solution: equal volumes of 0.5 % bupivacaine+ 2 % prilocaine, max. 30 mL). Demographic data, parameters of the blockade and related complications were recorded. Neurological complications during nerve blockade were evaluated 48 hours after the blockade by phone interviews with the patients. Patient satisfaction and the anesthesiologist's opinion about the block were evaluated separately. Results: The block performance time (8±3 min); time to the onset of motor 14±6 min) and sensory blockade (16±5 min), time for reversal of the motor (610±122 min), and sensory blockade (658±128 min) were recorded.. Ninety percent of the patients declared acceptance to have a similar operation with the same anesthetic method in the future. Conclusion: Sciatic nerve blockade by double stimulation technique via popliteal approach was found to be safe and useful as it provided a highly successful and efficient anesthesia, high patient satisfaction with negligible complications