In this study, we will be comparing two approaches to the femoral block. The first or classical approach and one that is the most popular in our institution is used by combining ultrasound guidance and neurostimulator to do the block. The second is performed with the ultrasound alone aiming at the inferolateral aspect of the femoral artery with the needle and injecting. The primary endpoint of the study is the sensitive cutaneous block distribution using both techniques.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
80
Ropivacaine 0.5% (20cc total) will be injected for the performance of the block in the two arms of the study.
Hopital Maisonneuve-Rosemont
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
RECRUITINGSensitive cutaneous block distribution area for the two techniques
After performance of a femoral nerve block, ice will be applied on the skin to plot the anesthetized area at times 15, 30 and 45 mn. The sensation will be compared on a scale from 0 (no sensation) to 2 (no anesthesia) with the contralateral leg. An area in cm2 will be calculated for each of the patients and the two techniques will then be compared.
Time frame: 45 minutes
Time of block completion
Time recorded from the end of the cutaneous local anesthetic injection to the end of the 20cc injection of the 0.5% Ropivacaine (time of block completion)
Time frame: 45 minutes
Ease of ultrasound visualization of the femoral nerve
This will be assessed by the anesthesiologist making the femoral nerve block from a scale of 1 (no visualization) to 10 (excellent visualization).
Time frame: 45 minutes
Ease of ultrasound visualization of the femoral artery
This will be assessed by the anesthesiologist making the femoral nerve block from a scale of 1 (no visualization) to 10 (excellent visualization).
Time frame: 45 minutes
Numbers of needle redirection
The number of time for each patients using either techniques that the needle will have been withdrawn.
Time frame: 45 minutes
Vascular puncture
Presence or absence of blood return at anytime in the tubing while performing the block.
Time frame: 45 minutes
Paresthesia
Presence or absence of the sensation of electrical shock felt by the patient in the territory of the femoral nerve at any point while performing the block
Time frame: 45 minutes
Patient Satisfaction
Satisfaction expressed by the patient after the completion of the femoral nerve block using a scale from 1 to 4.
Time frame: 45 minutes
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