Foot surgery in Vanuatu: results of combined tibial, common peroneal and saphenous nerve blocks in fifty-six adults.

Combined tibial and common peroneal nerve anaesthesia was used for foot and ankle surgery in fifty-six adults. Where necessary, the saphenous nerve was also blocked. A calibrated constant current nerve stimulator was used to localise the nerves in the popliteal fossa. Using lignocaine 1%, an opioid premedication, but no other sedation or top-up injection, 60% of the blocks were successful. If a patient felt pain at incision or during surgery, the block was recorded as a failure.