Decrease in Residual Neurological Symptoms After Institutional Changes in Peripheral Nerve Block Use for Pediatric Knee Surgery

Background: Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) have recently been associated with a higher incidence of complications than previously thought. We compared: (1) incidence of PNB-related residual neurological symptoms and (2) patient selection, operative practices, and anesthesia practices for pediatric knee surgery patients before and after changes in PNB administration at our institution. Methods: We compared data from pediatric patients who underwent knee surgery with PNBs from 2014 to 2016 (cohort 1; 100 patients) or 2017 to 2019 (cohort 2; 104 patients). Cohort 2 was treated after PNB administration was limited to a dedicated anesthesia block team at our institution. We used t tests and χ2 tests, with an α level of 0.05. Results: The incidence of PNB-related neurological complications was lower in cohort 2 (0.96%;) than cohort 1 (6%) (P=0.045). The 1 complication in cohort 2 was numbness proximal to the knee. Cohort 1 had 5 cases of numbness proximal to the knee and 1 case of neuropathic pain upon palpation of the PNB site. The proportion of female patients was greater in cohort 2 (57%) than cohort 1 (36%) (P=0.01); age and body mass index did not differ between cohorts. In cohort 2, the mean operating time was longer, and tourniquets were used more frequently (both, P<0.01). A greater proportion of PNBs were performed by fellows in cohort 2 (67%) versus cohort 1 (55%) (P=0.01). A smaller proportion of PNBs were performed by residents in cohort 2 (6.9%) versus cohort 1 (16%) (P=0.01). The most common anatomic site for PNBs was the femoral nerve (51%) in cohort 1 and the saphenous nerve (51%) in cohort 2 (P<0.01). Conclusions: The incidence of PNB-related complications after pediatric knee surgery decreased significantly after institutional changes in the regulation of PNB use. This decrease may be explained by shifts toward more experienced providers administering PNBs and preference for more distal anatomic sites, suggesting ways other institutions may lower their PNB complication rates. Level of Evidence: Level III—retrospective prognostic study.