Continuous Popliteal Nerve Blocks: Effect of Perineural Catheter Tip Location Relative to the Sciatic Nerve Bifurcation on Postoperative Analgesia

University of California San Diego

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 4

Conditions: Popliteal Bifurcation; Foot Surgery; Ankle Surgery; Popliteal Nerve Block

Treatments: Procedure: Catheter Placed At Bifurcation; Procedure: Catheter Placed 5cm Above Bifurcation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01229696

Popliteal Bifurcation

Details and patient eligibility

About

Research study to determine the relationship between perineural catheter tip location relative to the sciatic nerve bifurcation and postoperative analgesia for continuous popliteal nerve blocks.

Full description

Hypothesis: During a continuous popliteal nerve block, postoperative analgesia will be improved with the perineural catheter tip at the level of the sciatic nerve bifurcation compared to when the catheter tip is 5 cm cephalad/proximal to the bifurcation.

Enrollment: 150 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• undergoing surgery with a popliteal perineural catheter for postoperative analgesia
• age 18 years or older

Exclusion criteria

• pregnancy
• inability to communicate with the investigators and hospital staff
• incarceration
• clinical neuropathy in the surgical extremity
• chronic high-dose opioid use
• a history of opioid abuse
• surgery outside of ipsilateral sciatic and saphenous nerve distributions

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

150 participants in 2 patient groups

At Bifurcation

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients randomized to this group will receive a sciatic nerve block placed at the bifurcaton of the sciatic nerve and outcome measures will be tested.

Treatment:

Procedure: Catheter Placed At Bifurcation

5cm Above Bifurcation

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients randomized to this group will receive a sciatic nerve block placed 5cm above the bifurcaton of the sciatic nerve and outcome measures will be tested.

Treatment:

Procedure: Catheter Placed 5cm Above Bifurcation