Ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block: description of a new approach at the subgluteal space.

Sciatic nerve block is frequently used for anaesthesia or analgesia during orthopaedic foot surgery and there are several different approaches to the sciatic nerve. This report describes a new approach to the sciatic nerve using ultrasound. Local anesthetic was injected into the 'subgluteal space' under ultrasound guidance which was effective in producing sciatic nerve block in a small series of five patients. The anatomy, sonographic features, technique of identifying the subgluteal space, and potential advantages of this approach to the sciatic nerve are discussed.