Knee arthroscopy using regional nerve blockade.

Regional nerve block anesthesia has been less commonly used and less successful in surgery on the lower extremity than on the upper extremity because of anatomic difficulties associated with lower-extremity nerve blockade. The authors have developed a technique that combines two peripheral nerve blocks with a nerve stimulator. This has provided sufficient anesthesia for the performance of arthroscopic surgery on the knee. It simplifies earlier techniques by decreasing the discomfort associated with the procedure and increasing its accuracy. The technique has also facilitated rapid patient discharge from the same-day unit. No significant complications have been encountered.