CONTINUOUS PARASACRAL SCIATIC-NERVE BLOCK - 2 CASE-REPORTS

Objective. This study investigated the use of a continuous parasacral sciatic nerve block for anesthesia and postoperative analgesia for low er extremity surgery. Methods. A continuous parasacral sciatic nerve b lock was performed in two patients (triple ankle arthrodesis and below -knee amputation). The sacral plexus was identified using an insulated Tuohy needle and a nerve stimulator. A catheter was placed near the e lements of the sacral plexus via the Tuohy needle. Results. In both pa tients, surgical anesthesia was successfully established through the p arasacral catheter with lidocaine 1% (1/200,000 epinephrine), and post operative analgesia was successfully established with a bolus of bupiv acaine 0.375% (1/200,000 epinephrine) and maintained with a continuous infusion of bupivacaine 0.1% (8 mL/h) for 48 hours. Conclusion. We co nclude that continuous parasacral sciatic nerve block can provide anes thesia and long-term analgesia for operative procedures of the foot an d leg.