Lower limb regional anaesthesia: What’s new?

Abstract

Lower limb regional anaesthesia is complex as it is a field where the research is growing at a rapid rate producing new blocks, new approaches to established blocks and new data is emerging regarding old techniques. This article explores the choice of general anaesthesia (GA) versus neuraxial anaesthesia (NA). It also explores the impact of peripheral nerve blocks on lower limb anaesthesia. We also then look at newer techniques of regional anaesthesia options for the lower limb. For hip surgery, newer options include: PEricapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block, the Anterior Block of Capsule (ABC) block, the Supra Inguinal Fascia Iliaca (SIFI) block and the Quadratus Lumborum (QL) block. For knee surgery options include: adductor canal block, Nerve to Vastus Medialis (NVM) block, genicular nerve blocks and the Infiltration between Popliteal Artery and Capsule of the Knee (IPACK) block.