Is sciatic nerve block advantageous when combined with femoral nerve block for postoperative analgesia following total knee arthroplasty? a meta-analysis

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8 studies were included in the meta-analysis and systematic review evaluating the efficacy of either single-shot or continuous sciatic nerve block (SNB) as an adjuvant to femoral nerve block (FNB) for postoperative analgesia in total knee arthroplasty. The control groups in all studies were treated with single-shot or continuous FNB with or without placebo/sham intervention for SNB. Additional single-shot SNB demonstrated significantly lower analgesic consumption within the first 24 hours and significantly lower pain scores up to 8 hours postoperatively compared to control intervention, though was associated with a significant increase in analgesic consumption and dynamic pain scores from the 24-48 hour postoperative period. Additional continuous SNB demonstrated significantly lower analgesic consumption from 0-24 hours postoperatively, no significant difference in analgesic consumption from 24-48 hours postoperatively, and significantly lower pain scores throughout follow-up.