Ultrasound-guided supine lateral CAPS (crosswise approach to popliteal sciatic) block for below-knee surgeries in high-risk patients: A retrospective case series.

Abstract

Ultrasound (US)-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block (PSNB) with a femoral nerve block (FNB) provides adequate surgical analgesia for below-knee (BK) debridements and amputations. This retrospective review of 16 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status III and IV patients describes a US-guided distal transverse (crosswise) approach to perform supine lateral PSNB (CAPS) with FNB with the limb in the neutral position. The median visibility score was 4. The median block performance time was 8 min. The median time to achieve sensory and motor block was 20 and 25 min, respectively. CAPS block with FNB is a reliable combination for BK amputation and debridement.