{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.013628620102214651, 'fraction_numerical': 0.005110732538330494, 'mean_word_length': 5.0880829015544045, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Prevention of Phantom Limb Pain by Infusion of Local Anaesthetic into the Sciatic Nerve

Amputation of painful, gangrenous limbs is usually performed to save the life of the patient but the operation itself frequently fails to relieve the pain. Phantom sensations are experienced by up to 85% of amputees, with painful phantoms in up to 50% of these. Perioperative epidural blockade, commencing 72 hours preoperatively and continued into the postoperative period, has been used by one group to prevent this unfortunate sequel to amputation. Their results indicate that lumbar epidural blockade can effectively prevent both phantom and painful phantom pain. Not all institutions have the facilities to perform epidural anaesthesia, nor the necessary numbers of trained staff to care for epidural infusions in the postoperative period. After reading of the use of epidural catheters for direct perfusion of large nerve trunks in limb salvage procedures , we decided to use the technique to manage the pain following below-knee amputation. We were particularly keen to see if phantom pain could be prevented and to devise a technique that is easily managed on the general ward.