Efficacy of Continuous Sciatic Nerve Block in Diabetic Foot Patients

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Continuous Sciatic Nerve Block in Diabetic Foot Patients

Patients who underwent surgery for diabetic foot were divided into three groups: sciatic nerve block (Group B), continuous nerve catheter (Group C) . Group B patients underwent preoperative popliteal ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blockage. 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine was administered. In Group C patients, 20% bupivacaine 20 ml was applied to the sciatic nerve with a peripheral nerve catheter and continuous infusion was started with patient controlled analgesia device.

Ethics committee approval was received on 12 December 2019, numbered 19/344. The study was planned to include 90 adult patients undergoing diabetic foot surgery at Gülhane Training and Research Hospital between 12 December 2019 and February 2020. These patients were divided into three groups: sciatic nerve block (Group B), continuous nerve catheter (Group C). Group B patients underwent preoperative popliteal ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blockage. 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine was administered. In Group C patients, 20% bupivacaine 20 ml was applied to the sciatic nerve with a peripheral nerve catheter and continuous infusion was started with patient controlled analgesia device. Preoperative and postoperative blood flow of the popliteal and tibialis posterior arteries, pain scores of patients were evaluated with numeric rating scale and wound healing was monitored and recorded. The differences between the groups were compared statistically.

Inclusion Criteria:

• undergoing diabetic foot surgery
• spending the first postoperative night hospitalized
• age 40 years or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• inability to communicate with the investigators and hospital staff
• incarceration
• clinical neuropathy in the surgical extremity