The classic sciatic nerve block approach : are dorsal twitches better than plantar twitches ?

الملخص EN

Background Using the classic approach, the authors compared the success rate and time of onset of a sciatic nerve block after eliciting plantar twitches with those obtained after eliciting dorsal twitches.

Methods Eighty patients, who underwent cruciate ligament reconstruction, underwent a classic sciatic nerve block procedure after eliciting plantar twitches of the foot or toes (group 1) or after eliciting dorsal twitches (group 2).

The success rate of achieving a complete sciatic nerve block and its time of onset were recorded.

Results In group 1, a complete sciatic nerve block was achieved more frequently, and the time of onset of sensory and motor blocks of the tibial fibers of the sciatic nerve was more rapid (86.8%; 10.8 ±5 and 12.5 ±6 min, respectively) compared with that in group 2 (57.5%; 20.6± 7 and 23±10.8 min, respectively; Po0.05).

Conclusion Using the classic approach, eliciting of plantar twitches (tibial fiber stimulation) may result in more frequent achievement of a complete sciatic nerve block compared with eliciting of dorsal twitches (common peroneal fiber stimulation).