Knee Surg Relat Res.  2015 Jun;27(2):108-116. 10.5792/ksrr.2015.27.2.108.

Usefulness of Ultrasound-Guided Lower Extremity Nerve Blockade in Surgery for Patellar Fracture

• Kim YM
• Kang C
• Joo YB
• Yeon KU
• Kang DH
• Park IY

• KMID: 2223217
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5792/ksrr.2015.27.2.108

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound-guided nerve blockade in patellar fracture surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-three patients who underwent metal fixation under ultrasound-guided lower extremity blockade after diagnosis of patellar fracture from July 2011 to June 2012 were enrolled in this study. Under ultrasound guidance, femoral nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, obturator nerve, and sciatic nerve blockades were performed. For evaluation of anesthesia, interference with overall surgery, such as intraoperative knee pain and tourniquet pain, was checked. Individual anesthetic complications, satisfaction with nerve blocks, and choice of future anesthesia method were investigated.
RESULTS
Nineteen patients underwent surgery without any pain and 4 patients with mild pain. Satisfaction was excellent in 17 patients, good in 5, and unsatisfactory in 1. No complications such as infection or nerve injury occurred. In terms of selection of future anesthesia, 22 patients chose a nerve blockade of the lower extremity under ultrasound guidance, and one chose general anesthesia.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, ultrasound-guided nerve block of the lower extremity for patellar fracture surgery showed satisfactory results. Therefore, it could be a useful method to prevent complications associated with general or spinal anesthesia.

Keyword

Patella; Fracture; Ultrasound-guided; Nerve block

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General
Anesthesia, Spinal
Diagnosis
Femoral Nerve
Humans
Knee
Lower Extremity*
Nerve Block*
Obturator Nerve
Patella
Sciatic Nerve
Tourniquets
Ultrasonography