Regional anesthesia in foot and ankle surgery.

A method of regional anesthesia use in forefoot and midfoot surgery is described. Careful identification of the peripheral sensory nerves allows for effective anesthesia using bupivacaine and lidocaine in addition to sedation for comfort. A review of 355 patients showed that 98% received an effective surgical block of the sensory nerves. Complications were found to be minimal and patient satisfaction was high. This method provides a safe and effective anesthesia alternative for foot and ankle surgery.