Hadzic's Regional Anesthesia > Part III. Clinical Practice of Regional Anesthesia > Section Six. Blocks for the Lower Extremity > Chapter 35. Femoral Nerve Block François J. Singelyn, MD

Femoral Nerve Block: Introduction

"The femoral nerve block is considered one of the basic nerve block techniques because it is relatively simple to perform, carries a low risk of complications, and results in a high success rate. When used alone, femoral nerve block is well suited for surgery on the anterior aspect of the thigh and for postoperative pain management after femur and knee surgery. However, when combined with a sciatic block, anesthesia of almost the entire lower limb from the mid-thigh level can be achieved.When used alone, a femoral nerve block is well suited for surgery on the anterior aspect of the thigh and for superficial surgery on the medial aspect of the leg below the knee. Some examples include repair of the quadriceps tendon or quadriceps muscle biopsy, long saphenous vein stripping, and postoperative pain management after femur and knee surgery. Femoral nerve block significantly improves postoperative analgesia after knee surgery during the first 8–12 hours postoperatively.^1–5 However, when combined with a sciatic or popliteal block, femoral block provides anesthesia for entire lower leg or ankle surgery...."