Hadzic's Regional Anesthesia > Part III. Clinical Practice of Regional Anesthesia > Section Six. Blocks for the Lower Extremity > Chapter 40. Cutaneous Nerve Blocks of the Lower Extremity Anna Barczewska-Hillel, MD, Jerry D. Vloka, MD

Cutaneous Nerve Blocks of the Lower Extremity: Introduction

"Blocks of the lateral femoral cutaneous, posterior femoral cutaneous, saphenous, sural, and superficial peroneal nerves are useful anesthetic techniques for a variety of superficial surgical procedures. These blocks are simple to learn and perform. They are essentially devoid of complications and can nicely complement major conduction blocks of the lower extremity.^1,2 The combination of their applicability and {simplicity} mandate that these blocks should be in the armamentarium of every anesthesiologist.Cutaneous nerve blocks of the lower extremity can be used to anesthetize patients for a variety of surgical procedures. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block has been used to provide anesthesia for pediatric patients undergoing muscle biopsy³ and to provide analgesia after femoral neck surgery in older patients.^4,5 The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve block is used for any surgical procedure performed on the posterior aspect of the thigh.⁶ The saphenous, sural, and superficial peroneal nerve blocks can be used as part of an ankle block to provide complete anesthesia to the foot and ankle, or they can be used separately to provide anesthesia to specific portions of the foot and ankle. These blocks can be used for a variety of foot and ankle procedures...."