• G F Morris, S A Lang, W N Dust, and M Van der Wal.
• Department of Anesthesia, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
• Reg Anesth. 1997 May 1;22(3):223-8.

Background And ObjectivesThe clinical utility of a new parasacral approach for conduction block of the sciatic nerve was investigated, with critical examination of onset, extent, and success rates when this block was used for surgical procedures below the knee.MethodsThirty ASA I-III patients presenting for surgery on the lower limb were enrolled. All received 30 mL of 1.5% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine following nerve stimulator identification of the sciatic nerve at < or =0.2 mA or less. Trans-sartorial saphenous nerve blocks were performed to provide anesthesia to the medial leg.ResultsOverall success for surgical anesthesia with this block was 97%. All components of the sacral plexus could be blocked with this approach, and 93% of patients displayed evidence of obturator nerve motor block. However, no patient displayed evidence of obturator sensory anesthesia that could be mapped. Saphenous nerve blocks were 100% effective in providing surgical anesthesia for the procedures performed.ConclusionsThe parasacral approach to the sciatic nerve exhibits a high success rate, resulting in anesthesia of the entire sacral plexus and generally in motor block of the obturator nerve was an interesting observation.

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