Fascia iliaca block

Fascia iliaca blocks (fascia iliace nerve blockade or FIC) is a local anesthetic nerve block, a type of local anesthesia, used for the hip and thigh. FIC can performed by using ultrasound or with a loss of resistance technique, the latter sometimes refer to as the "two-pop-method". FIC works by affecting the femoral, obturator and the lateral cutaneous nerves with a local anesthetic.

Technique

When FIC is performed with the loss of resistance technique, the injection site for FIC is found by drawing an imaginary line between the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. The injection site is 1 cm. below the lateral one third and the medial two thirds of this line. Two losses of resistances are felt as the fascia lata and the fascia iliaca is penetrated by a semi-blunt cannula. Aspiration is performed, and after which local analgesia is injected while compressing on the skin distally to increase cranial distribution.

History

The block was first described in 1989 as an alternative to 3-in-1 nerve block in children.^[1]

References

1. Dalens, B; Vanneuville, G; Tanguy, A (December 1989). "Comparison of the fascia iliaca compartment block with the 3-in-1 block in children.". Anesthesia and analgesia 69 (6): 705–13. PMID 2589650.