Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks of the Lower Limb

Abstract

The need for effective analgesia in the perioperative period for major lower limb surgery has generated interest in the field of regional anesthesia. These regional techniques are commonly performed before central neuraxial blockade, but they could potentially be used as the sole anesthetic technique in conjunction with monitored sedation techniques. Regional anesthesia of the lower limb in conjunction with a multimodal analgesic regimen could provide obvious advantages such as opioid sparing, shorter hospital stay, improved patient satisfaction, and better functional outcomes [1]. This chapter describes the current methods and reasons for performing specific blocks to the lower limb utilizing ultrasound guidance.