Superior perioperative analgesia with combined femoral-obturator-sciatic nerve block in comparison with posterior lumbar plexus and sciatic nerve block for ACL reconstructive surgery

106 patients scheduled for arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were randomized to a postoperative analgesia regimen which included either a combined femoral-obturator-sciatic nerve block or a posterior brachial plexus block. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any significant differences between groups in pain scores, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine consumption, and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Significantly fewer patients in the FOS group experienced pain during tourniquet inflation when compared to the PLPS group, and perioperative morphine consumption was significantly lower in the FOS group. Incidence of PONV did not significantly differ between groups.