Efficacy and Safety of Different Local Anesthesia Techniques in Podiatric Procedures

TL;DR

This paper reviews the effectiveness and safety of various local anesthesia techniques used in foot procedures, showing they are generally safe and effective for pain control.

Contribution

The study provides updated evidence on the efficacy and safety of modern local anesthesia techniques in podiatry.

Findings

WALANT and ultrasound-guided nerve blocks are effective for pain control in podiatric procedures.

Local anesthesia techniques have high safety with few serious complications.

Patient factors and surgeon experience influence the outcomes of these techniques.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Local anesthesia is essential in podiatry, ensuring painless procedures. Technological and pharmacological advances require us to stay updated on the safest and most effective techniques. Lidocaine and bupivacaine are common anesthetics in this field, with the choice of technique tailored to each procedure. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of local anesthesia techniques in reducing pain in podiatric procedures. Materials and Methods: A systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, searching for studies in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science published in the last 10 years in English and Spanish. Studies focused on local anesthesia in podiatry were included, excluding those unrelated or without validated results. Results: Of 485 initial studies, nine were selected that met all criteria. These studies demonstrated the efficacy and safety of various local anesthesia techniques, such as WALANT and ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks, highlighting their effectiveness in pain control and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Local anesthesia techniques are effective in reducing pain in podiatric procedures. The safety of these techniques is high, with few serious complications. Local anesthesia without a tourniquet and specific techniques, such as subparaneural injection, are effective for pain control. Individual patient factors and surgeon experience influence results.

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