Ultrasound-guided single popliteal sciatic nerve block is an effective postoperative analgesia strategy for calcaneal fracture: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesia effect of ultrasound-guided single popliteal sciatic nerve block for calcaneal fracture. Methods: A total of 120 patients scheduled for unilateral open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fracture were enrolled in this prospective randomized study. Patients in group B received ultrasound-guided single popliteal sciatic nerve block after operation, but Patients in group A did not. All patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after operation. The time to initiation of PCIA, the time of first pressing the analgesia pump, duration of analgesia pump use and the total number of times the patient pressed the analgesia pump were recorded. The time of rescue analgesia and the adverse reactions were recorded. Pain magnitude of the patients immediately after discharge from operating room (T1), and at 4th (T2), 8th (T3), 12th (T4), 16th (T5), 24th (T6) and 48th (T7) h after the operation were assessed with visual analog scale (VAS). In addition, patient, surgeon and nurse satisfaction were recorded. Results: The VAS scores at T2 similar to T5, the time of rescue analgesia and the adverse reactions, the total number of times the patient pressed the analgesia pump were significantly declined in group B (p < 0.001). The time to initiation of PCIA, the time of first pressing the analgesia pump, duration of analgesia pump use were prolonged and patient surgeon and nurse satisfaction were improved in group B (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided single popliteal sciatic nerve block is an effective postoperative analgesia strategy for calcaneal fracture.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated that ultrasound-guided single popliteal sciatic nerve block is an effective postoperative pain management strategy for calcaneal fracture. It can reduce pain intensity and adverse reactions, prolong the use of patient-controlled analgesia pump, and improve patient, surgeon, and nurse satisfaction.