Fascia iliaca compartment blocks: different techniques and review of the literature

Publication date: Available online 17 April 2019Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical AnaesthesiologyAuthor(s): Matthias Desmet, Angela Lucia Balocco, Vincent Van BelleghemAbstractThe fascia iliaca compartment block has been promoted as a valuable regional anesthesia and analgesia technique for lower limb surgery. Numerous studies have been performed but the evidence on the true benefits of the fascia iliaca compartment block is still limited. Recent anatomical, radiological and clinical research have demonstrated the limitations of the landmark infra-inguinal technique. Nevertheless, this technique is still valuable in situations where ultrasound cannot be used due to lack of equipment or training. With the introduction of ultrasound, a new supra-inguinal approach of the fascia iliaca has been described. Research has demonstrated that this technique leads to a more reliable block of the target nerves than the infra-inguinal techniques. However, more research is needed to determine the place of this technique in clinical practice.
Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Anaesthesiology - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research