The visibility of the sciatic nerve and its branches are often reduced in the very obese patients
In obese patients it may be required to use a curved array transducer in order to perform a popliteal sciatic nerve block
However, the sciatic branches – the tibial nerve and the common peroneal nerve – are often sonographically visible near the popliteal crease, where they are usually superficially located. Even in obese patients
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The video shows blurred visibility of the sciatic nerve branches in an obese patient. A curved array transducer is employed to allow deeper depth of penetration of the ultrasound beam BFM = biceps femoris muscle; PN = common peroneal nerve; TN = tibial nerve; PA = popliteal artery
