Ultrasound-guided femoro–sciatic nerve block with and without using nerve locator for below-knee surgeries

Background Femoral and sciatic nerve blocks is a suitable technique for below-knee surgeries compared with neuroaxial and general anesthetic techniques. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided femoral and sciatic nerve blocks with and without using a nerve locator in below-knee surgeries. Patients and methods Between May 2017 and May 2018, we conducted our randomized, observer-blinded prospective clinical study. Sixty patients underwent below-knee surgeries in Menoufia University Hospitals were involved and divided into two groups of 30 patients each. The groups were assigned into two: group A received ultrasound-guided femoral and sciatic nerve block and in group B, nerve block was done using combined ultrasound with a nerve locator. Results The onset time of motor block was significantly shorter in the nerve locator group than in the ultrasound-only group (P