Peripheral nerve blocks for perioperative management of patients having orthopedic surgery or trauma of the lower extremity

Takashige Iwata; Sundaram Lakshman; Alpana Singh; Marina Yufa; Rich Claudio; Admir Hadžić

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2005.3278

Authors

Takashige Iwata The Department of Anesthesiology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University
Sundaram Lakshman The Department of Anesthesiology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University
Alpana Singh The Department of Anesthesiology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University
Marina Yufa The Department of Anesthesiology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University
Rich Claudio The Department of Anesthesiology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University
Admir Hadžić The Department of Anesthesiology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2005.3278

Keywords:

regional anesthesia, nerve block, trauma, neurologic complications

Abstract

Over the past decade several developments have lead to an increased interest in lower extremity PNBs including transient neurologic symptoms associated with spinal anesthesia, increased risk of epidural hematoma with the introduction of new antithromboembolic prophylaxis regimens, and evidence of improved rehabilitation outcome with continuous lower extremity PNBs. Simultaneously, the field of lower extremity blockade has been revolutionized through our better understanding of functional regional anesthesia anatomy, introduction of new drugs, better and more sophisticated equipment and wider teaching of lower extremity nerve block techniques. This review focuses on techniques and applications of lower extremity nerve blocks in patients having orthopedic surgery or trauma of the lower extremity, as well as potential complications and means to avoid them.