Femoral nerve block versus spinal anesthesia in the treatment of saphenous vein ablation

Citation: Kaçmaz M, Serhatlıoğlu F. Femoral nerve block versus spinal anesthesia in the treatment of saphenous vein ablation. Turk J Vasc Surg 2022;31(1):7-14 ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aims to compare the effects of spinal anesthesia and femoral nerve block and to determine the optimal anesthesia method for embolization of vena saphena magna. Patients and methods: Between December 2019 and March 2021, a total of 160 patients (89 males, 71 females; mean age: 44.4 years; range, 18 to 69 years) who were diagnosed with varicose veins and hospitalized for surgery in our cardiovascular surgery clinic were included. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group (Group S, n=80) underwent spinal anesthesia and the second group (Group F, n=80) underwent femoral nerve block for the surgical operation. Results: The mean arterial pressures (MAPs) were signif icantly lower in Group S compared to Group F. The mean time until surgery was earlier in Group S (4.57±1.0 min vs. 9.9±3.4 min, respectively; p<0.01). The mean duration of motor block was longer in Group S (3.4±1.1 h vs. 2.7±0.8 h, respectively; p<0.05). The mean duration of mobilization was statistically signif icantly shorter in Group F (6.1±1.7 h vs. 5.2±1.4, respectively; p<0.05). The development of urinary retention was statistically signif icantly higher in Group S (p<0.05). The mean patient satisfaction score after discharge was higher in Group F (3.5±0.5 vs. 2.9±0.8, respectively; p<0.05). The incidence of postoperative shivering was statistically signif icantly higher in Group S (p<0.05). Conclusion: Femoral nerve block, which is used for intraoperative anesthesia during the procedure of endovenous laser ablation, can be preferred as an alternative method to spinal anesthesia.