[A Clinical Comparison of Continuous Sciatic Nerve Block and Epidural Anesthesia for Postoperative Pain Control in Patients with Fracture of the Foot].

BACKGROUND

Epidural analgesia provides good pain relief for patients with fracture of the foot Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block offers safety and efficacy without affecting the leg.

METHODS

We compared the continuous sciatic nerve block with the continuous epidural anesthesia regarding postoperative pain after the open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the ankle fracture or calcaneal bone fracture.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were included in the epidural group (group E), and 17 patients in the sciatic nerve block group (group S). The postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in group S 3 hours and 12 hours after the procedure, and tended to be lower in other periods. Perioperative periods were uneventful in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous sciatic nerve block developed good postoperative analgesia in ORIF of ankle fracture or calcaneal bone fracture compared with continuous epidural anesthesia.