Philippe E Gautier1, Admir Hadzic, Jean-Pierre Lecoq, Jean Francois Brichant, Maxine M Kuroda, Catherine Vandepitte. 1. From the *Department of Anesthesiology, Clinique Ste Anne-St Remi, Brussels, Belgium; †Ziekenhuis, Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium; ‡Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medecine, Liege University Hospital, Liege, Belgium; and §North American Institute for Continuing Education (NAICE), New York, New York.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The analgesic efficacy reported for the adductor canal block may be related to the spread of local anesthetic outside the adductor canal. METHODS: Fifteen patients undergoing knee surgery received ultrasound-guided injections of local anesthetic at the level of the adductor hiatus. Sensory-motor block and spread of contrast solution were assessed. RESULTS: Sensation was rated as "markedly diminished" or "absent" in the saphenous nerve distribution and "slightly diminished" in the sciatic nerve territory without motor deficits. Contrast solution was found in the popliteal fossa. CONCLUSIONS: The spread of injectate to the popliteal fossa may contribute to the analgesic efficacy of adductor canal block.
BACKGROUND: The analgesic efficacy reported for the adductor canal block may be related to the spread of local anesthetic outside the adductor canal. METHODS: Fifteen patients undergoing knee surgery received ultrasound-guided injections of local anesthetic at the level of the adductor hiatus. Sensory-motor block and spread of contrast solution were assessed. RESULTS: Sensation was rated as "markedly diminished" or "absent" in the saphenous nerve distribution and "slightly diminished" in the sciatic nerve territory without motor deficits. Contrast solution was found in the popliteal fossa. CONCLUSIONS: The spread of injectate to the popliteal fossa may contribute to the analgesic efficacy of adductor canal block.