Ultrasound-Guided Anterior Sciatic Nerve Block Using a Longitudinal Approach: “Expanding the View”

Applications of regional anaesthesia in paediatrics

“…An anterior approach to sciatic nerve block can be performed with an ultrasound-guided approach. 70 This technique is ideal for the non-anesthetized patient with lower extremity discomfort, as the block is performed in the supine position with the patient's leg abducted and laterally rotated. The probe is placed inferior to the inguinal crease and the femur is identified; the probe is moved medially to reveal the sciatic nerve in its location deep and medial to the femur.…”

Ultrasound guided lower extremity blocks

“…The SN is visualized medial and posterior to the femur. Initial scanning in the transverse plane followed by a longitudinal scan and IP technique is recommended (46). Concomitant nerve stimulation may be required because of the deep nature of the block, but the associated discomfort may negate the reason for selecting this approach.…”

The use of ultrasound guided combined peripheral nerve blocks in a high-risk patient: A case report

“…Tsui et al reported that identification of the sciatic nerve with the sole use of transverse scanning was usually difficult particularly obese patients, and the sciatic nerve could be more consistently visualized along its longitudinal axis than its transverse axis. [5] The patient complained of little pain during incision of the medial thigh, which might be due to not blockade of the obturator nerve. Karm et al reported in a case report about above knee amputation that similar painful responses was observed and they state that the reason for this pain was incomplete blocking of the posterior branch of the obturator nerve.…”