Bupivacaine-Lidocaine Combination Versus Bupivacaine Alone for Ultrasound-Guided Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block in Elective Lower Extremity Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are comparing two local anesthetic methods for ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block in adults aged 18 to 65 undergoing elective distal lower leg surgery. This study focuses on how quickly sensory and motor blockades begin and evaluates several postoperative outcomes such as pain levels, opioid use, and recovery quality. The trial is conducted at Ataturk University Research Hospital in Turkey with 60 participants divided into two groups. Participants will receive one of two treatments before surgery: one group gets a combination of lidocaine and bupivacaine, while the other group receives bupivacaine alone. Both treatments involve 20 mL total volume administered via ultrasound guidance to the popliteal sciatic nerve. Some patients may also receive an additional adductor canal block. During surgery, sedation and vital signs are carefully monitored, and standardized postoperative pain relief is provided. Throughout the study, researchers will assess block onset time, success rates, duration of sensory and motor block, and pain scores at multiple time points up to 24 hours after surgery. They will also monitor opioid use, quality of recovery, and any rebound pain. Neurological assessments are performed one week after surgery to check for any nerve issues. The study uses a double-blind design, with patients and outcome assessors unaware of the treatment group.

Bupivacaine-Lidocaine vs Bupivacaine for Ultrasound-Guided Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block