Efficacy and safety of proximal popliteal sciatic nerve block compared with distal sciatic bifurcation or selective tibial and peroneal nerve block: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Editor—The popliteal sciatic nerve block can be performed at a variety of locations relative to the bifurcation into tibial and peroneal nerves. Blocks proximal to the bifurcation are often described as slower and less successful compared with more distal blocks.1 The aim of this review was to determine the variation in onset times, success rates, and incidence of adverse events associated with performing the traditional pre-bifurcation block compared with distal block at the bifurcation or at the individual tibial and common peroneal branches.