Effects of ultrasound-guided saphenous nerve block versus femoral triangle block on functional recovery and adverse reactions among patients with arthroscopic knee surgeries

Wang Qi; Yu Bo; Ke Hai; Lu Bin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-4237.2025.09.008

Abstract：Objective To analyze the functional recovery and adverse reactions of saphenous nerve block vs.femoral triangle block under ultrasound guidance in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgeries.Methods From May 2023 to May 2024,80 patients with arthroscopic knee surgeries in Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University were enrolled,including 59 males and 21 females aged 23-58(mean 33.3)years.According to the random number table,patients were anesthetized via saphenous nerve block(SN group,n=40)or femoral triangle block(FT group,n=40).The number of cases with successful nerve block,intra-and post-operative application of adjuvant analgesia and the dosage of sufentanil and remifentanil were recor-ded and compared between the two groups.At 6,12 and 24 h after operation,the recovery of quadriceps femoris muscle strength,degree of pain and finish time of timed-up-and-go test were evaluated.The completion rate of func-tional exercise and incidence of postoperative adverse reactions like nausea and vomiting,drowsiness and dizziness were also recorded.Results The success rate of nerve block was 100%in both groups,with adjuvant analgesia ap-plied in 4 cases in SN group(10.0%)and 6 in FT group(15.0%).There was no significant difference regarding the dosage of sufentanil and remifentanil between the two groups(P>0.05).The total recovery rate of quadriceps femoris muscle strength was 72.5%at 12 h and 82.5%at 24 h after operation in the SN group,which was signifi-cantly higher than that in the FT group(47.5%and 55.0%respectively,both P<0.05).VAS score showed no sig-nificant differences at 6,12 and 24 h after operation,but the finished time of timed-up-and-go test was shorter in the SN group than in the FT group(s,15.3±4.2,10.7±3.4,8.6±3.5 vs.20.5±4.3,18.6±4.0,13.2±4.6,all P<0.05 compared at the same time point).While the completion rates of early knee functional exercise in the SN group were 62.5%,72.5%,75.0%and 80.0%on the operationday and 1,2 and 3 d after operation,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in the FT group(40.0%,47.5%,52.5%,and 57.5%,all P<0.05 com-pared at the same time point).The incidence of postoperative adverse reactions showed no significant differences between SN and FT group(5.0%vs.10.0%,P>0.05).Conclusion Ultrasound-guided saphenous nerve block can reduce the pain of patients with arthroscopic knee surgeries.The total recovery rate of quadriceps muscle strength is higher at 12 and 24 h after operation compared with the femoral triangle block,and patients can recover to the preoperative state more quickly.