Continuous Sciatic Nerve Block vs Epidural Analgesia in Lower Limb Amputation for Postoperative Pain

Continuous Sciatic Nerve Block vs Epidural Analgesia in Lower Limb Amputation for Prevention of Acute Postoperative Pain and Phantom Limb Pain: A Triple-blind Randomized Controlled Non-inferiority Clinical Trial.

Controlled clinical trial of two parallel groups, with random assignment 1:1, non-inferiority, blinded for the patient, for who administers the intervention and for who analyzes the data. 112 participants

Controlled clinical trial of two parallel groups, with random assignment 1:1, non-inferiority, blinded for the patient, for who administers the intervention and for who analyzes the data. 112 participants Outcomes: Primary: Numeric rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain) was used for pain assessments daily for 15 days and subsequently monthly until completing 3 months. Co-primary: Assessment of symptomatology related to phantom limb pain daily for 15 days POP and subsequently monthly until completing 3 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age over 18 years
2. Being scheduled for above or below knee amputation or for bone remodeling of lower limb amputees
3. Acceptance of continuous regional analgesic technique as part of their multimodal analgesia

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Traumatic cause of amputation
2. Allergy to local anesthetics
3. Contraindication for epidural technique or continuous blocks
4. Stage 5 kidney disease
5. Concomitant use of aspirin and clopidogrel
6. Pregnancy status