The comparison of two lower extremity block techniques combined with sciatic block: 3-in-1 femoral block vs. psoas compartment block.

The objective of this study was to compare clinical and postoperative analgesic effects of femoral or psoas compartment blocks in patients undergoing arthroscopies. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Either femoral (group F) or psoas compartment (group P) block was applied followed by sciatic nerve block. All nerve blocks were provided with a 15 ml of bupivacaine 0.5% + 10 ml of lignocaine (lidocaine) 2%. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), heart rate, and pulse oxymetry (SpO2) were recorded. Quality of anaesthesia, time to first analgesic use, verbal pain scores (VPS), sensorial and motor blockade resolution times and side effects were also recorded. Quality of anaesthesia, complete sensory blockade of obturator and lateral cutaneous nerves were higher in the group P than in group F. However, complete motor blockade findings were similar in both groups. In the group P, VPS values measured at 10 and 15 min were lower than that of group F. These values decreased at 10 min and thereafter as to baseline values. VPS values of the group F declined at 20 min and following measurement times as to baseline values. Durations of motor and sensorial block, and time to first analgesic use were similar between two groups. Total analgesic consumption at first 24 h in group P was lower than those of group F. Regarding heart rates, SpO2, SBP and DBP values, no significant differences were found between the groups. Combined psoas-sciatic technique provided more comfortable intraoperative anaesthesia and better postoperative analgesia when compared with femoral-sciatic technique for arthroscopic procedures.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes