• Julian Foote, Richard Freeman, Samer Morgan, and Andrew Jarvis.
• Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Worthing Hospital, Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 2DH, United Kingdom. julian.foote@btinternet.com
• Foot Ankle Surg. 2012 Jun 1; 18 (2): 141-3.

IntroductionThe aim was to see if as surgeons we were providing safe, efficient and effective, regional blocks for patients undergoing day case, forefoot surgery. We also assessed the costs of, providing this service.Methods63 consecutive patients were recruited prospectively for local anaesthetic block. Blocks were, performed by the orthopaedic team. Efficacy of block was assessed intra-operatively with a visual, analogue score (VAS) of 0-10. Satisfaction with the anaesthetic procedure was also assessed.ResultsAverage time to perform the block was 6 min. Mean VAS for knife to skin was 0.44 (95%, confidence 0.07-0.81) and for ankle tourniquet was 1.39 (95% confidence 0.85-1.39). Patients were, highly satisfied with the blocks. No complications were reported.ConclusionsThese blocks are quick and easy to perform by orthopaedic surgeons. They are well, tolerated and effective. They result in considerable cost savings to the Hospital.Copyright © 2011 European Foot and Ankle Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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