Dissertation committee:
Γερολουκά-Κωστοπαναγιώτου Γεωργία, Καθηγήτρια Αναισθησιολογίας,Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Σιαφάκα Ιωάννα, Καθηγήτρια Αναισθησιολογίας και Θεραπείας Πόνου,Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Ματσώτα Παρασκευή, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια Αναισθησιολογίας, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Σαραντέας Θεοδόσιος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητης Αναισθησιολογίας, Ιατρική, , ΕΚΠΑ
Σιδηροπούλου Τατιανή, Επίκουρος Καθηγήτρια Αναισθησιολογίας,Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Μπατιστάκη Χρυσάνθη, Επίκουρος Καθηγήτρια Αναισθησιολογίας,Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Τσαρουχά-Δημητροπούλου Αθανασία, Επίκουρος Καθηγήτρια Αναισθησιολογίας, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Background and Aims: The anatomic site and the volume of local anesthetic needed for
an ultrasound-guided saphenous nerve block differ in the literature. The purpose of this
study was to examine the effect of two different ultrasound-guided low
volume injections of local anesthetic on saphenous and vastus medialis nerves.
Materials and Methods: Recruited patients (N = 48) scheduled for orthopedic surgery
were randomized in two groups; Group distal adductor canal (DAC): Ultrasound-guided
injection (5 ml of local anesthetic) distal to the inferior foramina of the adductor canal.
Group adductor canal (AC): Ultrasound-guided injection (5 ml local anesthetic) within
the adductor canal. Following the injection of local anesthetic, block progression was
monitored in 5 min intervals for 15 min in the sartorial branches of the saphenous nerve
and vastus medialis nerve.
Results: Twenty two patients in each group completed the study. Complete block of the
saphenous nerve was observed in 55% and 59% in Group AC and DAC, respectively (P
= 0.88). The proportion of patients with vastus medialis weakness at 15 min in Group
AC, 36%, was significantly higher than in Group DAC (0/22), (P = 0.021).
Conclusions: Low volume of local anesthetic injected within the adductor canal or
distally its inferior foramina leads to moderate success rate of the saphenous nerve block,
while only the injection within the adductor canal may result in vastus
medialis nerve motor block.
