A Modified Mid-Femoral Approach to the Sciatic Nerve Block: A Correlation Between Evoked Motor Response and Sensory Block

BACKGROUND: The lateral sciatic mid-femoral block (LSMF), proved to be reliable, safe, and effective on both branches of the sciatic nerve with a single injection. However, we do not know which component of the sciatic nerve (the tibial [T] or the common peroneal [CP]) produces a better success rate when performing a LSMF with a single injection technique. In this prospective study we compared the success rate of the T motor response with the CP motor response. METHODS: Ninety-five patients undergoing ankle or foot surgery were enrolled. Thirty milliliters of 0.475% ropivacaine was injected at the first evoked motor response, either T or CP, with a minimal intensity between 0.3 and 0.5 mA. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were included in group T and 23 in group CP. The block was considered a success when a complete sensory block of the sciatic nerve was obtained. The success rate was 90% (65) for the T response and 70% (16) for the CP response (P < 0.05). Time to perform the block (CP: 4.5 +/- 3 min vs T: 4.5 +/- 4 min; P = NS) as well as sensory and motor onset times were not significantly different between groups. No complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the evoked motor response of the T branch is associated with a higher success rate than a CP response using the modified LSMF block.