The block of the crural nerve as a technique of analgesia postoperative knee surgery

Abstract

Ten ASA patients 1 and 2 are being studied, aged 18 to 54 years (mean ± SD: 37 ± 17 years) and undergoing knee surgery. At the end of the surgical procedure under general anesthesia, an epidural catheter is placed in the colorectal cavity. After radiological monitoring, a large dose of bupivacaine 0.5% epinephrine 2.5 mg • kg-1 was injected. A 0.125% non-adrenaline bupivacaine was maintained for 48 hours at a dose of 0.25 mg • kg-1 • h-1. The pain score measured using a visual analog scale before occlusion was 5.0 ± 1.9. From the 6th hour to the 48th hour, it decreased significantly. The plasma concentrations of bupivacaine obtained at 24, 36, and 48 hours were significantly higher than those at 30 minutes, and 1, 6, and 12 hours. The steady-state concentration of bupivacaine was 1.78 ± 0.59 μg • ml-1. The clearance rate of bupivacaine was 2.59 ± 0.91 ml • min-1 • kg-1. No neurological complications were observed.