Femoral Peri-arterial Local Anesthetic Injection Decreases Tourniquet Associated Ischemic Hypertension

The purpose of this prospective randomized double-blind study is to determine if the novel technique of ultrasound guided peri-arterial injection of local anesthetic around the femoral artery decreases ischemic hypertension associated with prolonged lower extremity tourniquet time during total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and foot fusion surgeries. Efficacy will be determined by analyzing incidence of intraoperative ischemic hypertension, defined as >30% increase in systolic blood pressure, associated with tourniquet inflation times greater than 90 minutes. The study will involve a total of 30 patients (15 in each group) and with a power of 80% to detect a 50% difference. The patients involved in the study will be ASA 1-3 patients who are undergoing either TAA or foot fusion surgeries. Patients will receive standard of care for their anesthesia, which at Duke Hospital includes placement of popliteal and saphenous perineural catheters and a general anesthetic with a laryngeal mask airway. Patients will be randomized to receive femoral peri-arterial injection with either 1.5% mepivacaine with 1:400,000 epinephrine or 0.9% saline which will be performed preoperatively at time of perineural catheter placement. Patients will assume standard risk associated with nerve blocks, including theoretical risk of nerve damage and local anesthetic systemic toxicity. Possible benefits include improved intraoperative hemodynamic stability, decreased intraoperative opioid and antihypertensive medications, and decreased tourniquet associated pain post-operatively.