Effect of Femoral and Sciatic Nerve Blocks, Combined with General Anesthesia, in Postoperative Pain Levels and Phantom Limb Pain Development in Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Amputation

Effect of Femoral and Sciatic Nerve Blocks, Combined with General Anesthesia, in Postoperative Pain Levels and Phantom Limb Pain Development in Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Amputation

The goal of this observational study is to determine the effect of femoral and sciatic nerve blocks, combined with general anesthesia, in postoperative pain levels and phantom limb pain development in patients undergoing lower limb amputation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing lower limb amputation 10cm cephalad or 10cm caudal of the knee, due to Peripheral Arterial Disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any form of dementia
• Prior chronic neuropathic pain as assessed with DN4 questionnaire
• Surgery under neuraxial anaesthesia
• Inability to complete a Numeric Rating Scale to assess pain
• Contraindication to ropivacaine