Rebound Pain After Outpatient Orthopaedic Foot Surgery Under Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block: Influence of Sensory Block Duration. An Observational Study.

Rebound pain after surgeries under peripheral nerve block is defined as the appearance of severe acute postoperative pain after regression of the sensory block. The incidence of this condition can reach up to 40-50% in patients undergoing ambulatory surgeries. Rebound pain represents a clinically significant issue that may outweigh the benefits of regional anaesthesia. This is particularly significant for painful outpatient surgeries, where inadequately managed pain can result in distress, potentially affecting patient satisfaction and recovery. It may also lead to unplanned utilization of healthcare resources or readmissions.

Orthopaedic foot surgery is a prevalent outpatient surgery, potentially painful, where rebound may be a difficult challenge. However, to date, prospective studies focusing specifically on rebound pain in outpatient foot surgery are limited. Identifying conditions associated with rebound pain or at-risk patients could facilitate the development of preventive and treatment strategies, thereby enhancing pain management or relief. Younger age, female sex and bone surgery are non-modifiable factors associated with severe rebound pain. Perioperative intravenous dexamethasone has been identified as a modifiable independent risk factor associated with a reduced incidence of rebound pain. Regarding anaesthetic factors, the duration of the peripheral block has been proposed as a potentially modifiable factor influencing rebound pain; however, current evidence does not support this hypothesis.

The goal of this prospective observational study is to evaluate the incidence of rebound pain specifically in outpatient orthopaedic foot surgery involving bone under popliteal sciatic nerve block and to assess the possible association between sensory block duration and the incidence of rebound pain.