Background and Objectives Short acting regional anesthetics have already been successfully employed for peripheral nerve blocks in an ambulatory surgery setting. However, the impact on direct and indirect perioperative costs comparing two different short-acting local anesthetics has not been performed, yet.

Methods In an observational study including 50 patients per group, patient undergoing popliteal block with chloroprocaine 3% or mepivacaine 1.5% for ambulatory minor foot surgery were compared. The primary outcome was the saving of both direct and indirect perioperative costs. Secondary outcomes were block success, onset time and block duration, patient satisfaction and unplanned outpatient visits or readmissions after discharge.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ASA I-III scheduled for elective, unilateral, ambulant minor foot surgery (percutaneous hallux valgus correction, osteotomies, tenotomies, mallet and hammer toes correction, screws and/or plaques removal)

Exclusion Criteria:

• known allergy to drugs used in the study;
• coagulopathies, known neuropathy;
• pregnancy;
• chronic pain;
• drug or alcohol abuse;
• psychiatric disease or lack of competence affecting compliance and evidence of ongoing sepsis or local skin / subcutaneous tissues infections in the popliteal fossa.

ASA I-III scheduled for elective, unilateral, ambulant minor foot surgery (percutaneous hallux valgus correction, osteotomies, tenotomies, mallet and hammer toes correction, screws and/or plaques removal)