Sciatic nerve block made easy for resident trainers

BackgroundThe infragluteal parabiceps approach to sciatic nerve might be easier to be learnt by trainees with reasonable success rate and performance time and less incidence of complications.MethodsAfter ethical approval, infragluteal and Labat approaches for sciatic nerve block (n = 50 for each) were performed by five trainees at 3rd grade of anesthesia training program. We recorded the changes in the times to performance of the block, and onset of sensory block, the patients' satisfaction and difficulty of the technique for the trainees.ResultsPerformance time was 3–3.5 min with Labat approach and 2–2.75 min with infra-gluteal approach (P < 0.001). Sciatic nerve stimulation was observed at a depth of 70 ± 8 mm after (2–10) needle redirection in group Labat, and at a depth of 58 ± 13 mm after (2–7) needle redirection in infragluteal group (P < 0.001). Failed nerve block was reported in 5 cases in group Labat and 2 cases in infra-gluteal group (P = 0.13). Thirty cases in Labat group would refuse the same anesthetic if required in the future for another surgery, while only twenty five cases in infragluteal group would refuse the same technique in the future (P = 0.13). Three resident trainer described the infragluteal approach as a simple approach and easy to perform by a beginner, whereas only two trainers accepted the Labat approach (P = 0.52).ConclusionInfragluteal approach for the sciatic nerve block was considered rapidly and easy to use and the preferred approach regardless of previous experience compared with Labat approach.