Peripheral Nerve Catheter Placement for Lower Extremity Free Flap in a Patient with Incomplete L1 Paraplegia: A Case Report

Background

Patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) undergoing surgery require special considerations based on the spinal level and severity of their neurologic deficit.

General anesthesia and neuraxial approaches have been accepted as safe options for this population1, though there is less data surrounding the benefits and safety of peripheral nerve blockade.  

Given the varying degrees of residual sensation below a spinal cord lesion, many patients with SCI may still benefit from improved analgesia

Our aim is to discuss additional benefits of increased perfusion from regional anesthesia via peripheral nerve block catheters.