THE CLASSIC SCIATIC NERVE BLOCK APPROACH: ARE DORSAL TWITCHES BETTER THAN PLANTAR TWITCHES

Using the classic approach, authors compared the success rate and onset of sciatic nerve block after eliciting plantar twitches versus dorsal twitches. Methods: Eighty patients, who underwent cruciate ligament reconstruction, received classic sciatic nerve block after eliciting plantar twitches of the foot or toes (Group 1) or dorsal twitches (Group 2). The frequency of complete sciatic nerve block and its onsets were recorded. Results: In Group 1, complete sciatic nerve block was achieved more frequently and the sensory and motor block onsets of its tibial fibers were more rapid [86.8 %, 10.8 ± 5 and 12.5 ± 6 minutes respectively] compared with those in Group 2 [ 57.5%, 20.6 ± 7 and 23 ± 10.8 minutes respectively] (p 0.05). Conclusions: Using the classic approach, eliciting of plantar twitches (tibial fibers stimulation) may result in complete sciatic nerve block more frequently than that of the dorsal twitches (common peroneal fibers stimulation).