Patient Selection

Like femoral nerve block, this block is carried out with the patient in the supine position. Thus, almost any patient is a candidate for a lateral femoral cutaneous block.

Pharmacologic Choice

The same concerns about local anesthetic choice that were outlined for sciatic and femoral blocks (Chapters 12 and 13, respectively) apply to the lateral femoral cutaneous block. If multiple lower extremity blocks are being used, the operator must consider the total dosage being administered. Because the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve does not have motor components, a lower concentration of 10 to 15 mL of local anesthetic is effective.

Anatomy