A "new" automated bolus technique for continuous popliteal block: a prospective, randomized comparison with a continuous infusion technique.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We designed the present, prospective, randomized, double-blind study to compare the administration of an automated intermittent bolus dose with a conventional technique of continuous infusion of local anesthetic for postoperative analgesia in continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blockade.

METHODS:

Forty-four patients undergoing hallux valgus repair were randomly assigned to receive either a continuous infusion of 0.125% levobupivacaine with an infusion rate of 5 mL/h (continuous infusion group, n=22) or automated bolus doses of 5 mL every hour of the same local anesthetic (automated bolus group, n=22) for 24 h. Postoperative pain scores were assessed using a verbal rating pain score. The amount of rescue tramadol medication for pain was also recorded.

RESULTS:

In patients of the automated bolus group there was a reduction in pain scores (P<0.05) during the postoperative period, when compared to patients of the continuous infusion group. Five patients in the automated bolus group (24%) and 11 patients of the continuous group (52%) required rescue tramadol analgesia (P=0.055).

CONCLUSION:

The present investigation demonstrated that local anesthetic administered by an automated bolus technique provided better postoperative pain relief than a continuous infusion technique for continuous popliteal nerve block after foot surgery.

• Authors: Manuel Taboada, Jaime Rodríguez, Maria Bermudez, Cristina Valiño, Beatriz Ulloa, Francisco Aneiros, Francisco Gude, Joaquín Cortés, Julian Alvarez, Peter G Atanassoff
• Journal: Anesthesia and analgesia (Anesth Analg) Vol. 107 Issue 4 Pg. 1433-7 (Oct 2008) ISSN: 1526-7598 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18806065 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Local
• Levobupivacaine
• Bupivacaine

Topics

• Anesthetics, Local (administration & dosage)
• Bupivacaine (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Hallux Valgus (surgery)
• Humans
• Infusion Pumps
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Levobupivacaine
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nerve Block (methods)
• Pain Measurement
• Pain, Postoperative (prevention & control)
• Sciatic Nerve