Obturator nerve block in adductor spasticity: Comparison of peripheral nerve stimulator and ultrasonography techniques

Abstract

Objective: Obturator nerve blockade, which is commonly used in the treatment of spasticity, is a very difficult nerve block. Ultrasonography (USG) has been widely used in recent years for nerve blocks. The aim of this study was to compare peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) and ultrasound (US) in obturator nerve blockade in patients with adductor spasticity. Methods: Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group-PNS patients had a peripheral nerve stimulator guided obturator nerve block, and Group-USG patients had US-guided obturator nerve block. Age, gender, length and weight of patients were recorded. The period of the block, the number of punctures until successful block, the necessity for a repeated block, spasticity assessment (using the Ashworth scale), complications, patient satisfaction, and practitioner satisfaction were recorded. Results: The average number of punctures in Group PNS was 2.0 (1.0 to 6.0) and in Group USG was 3.0 (1.0 to 5.0); there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The average time of the block was 10.0 min in Group PNS (2.0 to 30.0) and 16 min (4.0 to 35.0) in Group USG, and no significant differences were detected. The patient and the practitioner satisfactions were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: Clinical studies showed that USG-guided regional blocks were safer and more efficient than other conventional techniques. However, there are very few studies comparing USG and other techniques; therefore, more studies are needed. © 2013 by Turkish Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Society.