Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background:A local anesthetic is injected close to the popliteal nerve and its branches, which are situated in the back of the knee, in a procedure known as a popliteal blockade or popliteal nerve block. The present study was conducted to compare combined popliteal and saphenous nerve block vs NSAIDS for post operative analgesia in knee surgery patients. Materials & Methods:60 patients scheduled for knee surgeriesof both genders were divided into 2 groups of 30 each. Group I patients received a combined popliteal and saphenous nerve block and group II received intravenous NSAIDs at the end of the surgical procedure. Parameters such as time for first rescue analgesia, total diclofenac requirement, total anti-emetic requirement, post-operative VAS score, and adverse events were recorded. Results: The mean weight was59.3 kgs and 60.2 kgs, height was 164.3 cms and 161.8 cms, and duration of surgery was 64.1 months and 57.7 months in group I and II respectively. The difference was non-significant (P>0.05). The analgesic requirement for the first time was 538.1 minutes and 314.5, VAS at the time of first analgesic requirement was 4.82 and 6.52, total consumption of diclofenac within 24 hours was 121.4 and 274.8 and post-operative score for nausea and vomiting was 1.3 and 1.9 in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: For individuals who have knee procedures, combined popliteal and saphenous nerve block provide noticeably superior postoperative pain management than NSAIDS.