Postoperative analgesic efficacy of fascia iliaca block versus periarticular injection for total knee arthroplasty

Impact of multimodal analgesia on postoperative anxiety and depression following total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can cause negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression, which can severely affect a patient's long-term quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the impact of multimodal analgesia (MMA) on postoperative anxiety and depression following total knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

This study included 161 patients who underwent TKA from October 2020 to October 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, including 79 cases in the control group and 82 cases in the multimodal analgesia group (MMA). The MMA group were administered acetaminophen 0.5 g/d orally 3 days before the surgery, and an ultrasound-guided fascia iliac compartment block (FICB) with 0.25% ropivacaine 30 ml in the inguinal region ipsilateral to the surgery was performed 1 h before surgery. After the surgery, 100 ml solution includes 100 mg ropivacaine, 2.5 mg morphine, and 0.25 mg epinephrine for intra-articular and periarticular injection. Postoperative conventional intravenous analgesia was used in the control group, including 100 mg ropivacaine, 2.5 mg morphine, and 0.25 mg epinephrine for intra-articular and periarticular injection. Patients were scored for pain, anxiety, and depression in the ward at 3 and 7 days postoperatively, and postoperative patients were scored using telephone callbacks at 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

It was found that the visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain at rest at 3 days, 7 days, and 3 months postoperatively were significantly lower in the MMA group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The scores for pain with movement were significantly lower in the MMA group than in the control group at 3 days and 7 days postoperatively (P < 0.01), but they were similar at 3 months postoperatively. Compared to the control group, the MMA group had significantly higher American Knee Society scores (AKS) at 3 days, 7 days, and 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the MMA group had significantly higher Lower Extremity Functional Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores (HADS) (P < 0.05) at 3 days and 7 days postoperatively; compared to the control group, the MMA group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Multimodal analgesia can alleviate postoperative anxiety and depression in the short term, reduce perioperative pain, improve postoperative recovery, and shorten the length of hospital stay.

Transmuscular Quadratus Lumborum Block versus Infrainguinal Fascia Iliaca Nerve Block for Patients Undergoing Elective Hip Replacement: A Double-blinded, Pilot, Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose

Transmuscular quadratus lumborum (TQL) block has been described as an effective option for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing hip replacement with single injection described as providing analgesia for up to 24 h. We hypothesize that a TQL block, when compared to fascia iliaca block (FIB), will provide better analgesia and less motor block in the initial 24-h postoperative period.

Patients and Methods

Fifty patients undergoing elective hip replacement surgery, ASA I–III, were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups. Patients in group A received spinal anesthesia followed by FIB. Patients in group B received spinal anesthesia followed by TQLB. Postoperative pain scores and motor block were assessed at 6 and 24 hours. The primary outcome measure was 24 h total morphine consumption. Secondary outcome measures included pain score (VNS) and motor block (modified Bromage scale) at 6 and 24 h postoperatively.

Results

There was no statistical difference in morphine consumption between the two groups (p-value 0.699). There was no difference in pain scores at 6 h (p-value 0.540) or 24 h (p-value 0.383). There was no difference in motor block at 6 h (p-value 0.497) or at 24 h (p-value 0.773).

Conclusion

Transmuscular quadratus lumborum block along with spinal anesthesia for patients undergoing elective hip replacement surgery does not reduce opioid consumption or motor weakness when compared to fascia iliaca block. The results and conclusion apply to a dose of 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine used in each group.

Fascia Iliaca Block for Postoperative Pain Control After Hip Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Various analgesic modalities have been used to improve postoperative pain in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy.

PURPOSE

To systematically review the literature to compare the efficacy of the fascia iliaca block (FIB) with that of other analgesic modalities after hip arthroscopy in terms of postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumption.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase up to April 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials that compared postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in patients after hip arthroscopy with FIB versus other pain control modalities. The search phrase used was "hip arthroscopy fascia iliaca randomized." Patients were evaluated based on postoperative pain scores and total postoperative analgesic consumption.

RESULTS

Five studies (3 level 1, 2 level 2) were identified that met inclusion criteria, including 157 patients undergoing hip arthroscopy with FIB (mean age, 38.3 years; 44.6% men) and 159 patients among the following comparison groups: lumbar plexus block (LPB), intra-articular ropivacaine (IAR), local anesthetic infiltration (LAI), saline placebo, and a no-block control group (overall mean age, 36.2 years; 36.5% men). No significant differences in pain scores were reported in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) between the FIB and LPB (3.4 vs 2.9; P = .054), IAR (7.7 vs 7.9; P = .72), control group (no FIB: 4.1 vs 3.8; P = .76); or saline placebo (difference, -0.2 [95% CI, -1.1 to 0.7]). One study reported significantly higher pain scores at 1 hour postoperation in the FIB group compared with the LAI group (5.5 vs 3.4; P = .02). Another study reported significantly greater total analgesic consumption (in morphine equivalent dosing) in the PACU among the FIB group compared with the LPB group (20.8 vs 17.0; P = .02). No significant differences were observed in total PACU analgesic consumption between FIB and other analgesic modalities.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing hip arthroscopy, the FIB does not appear to demonstrate superiority to other forms of analgesics in the immediate postoperative period. Therefore, it is not recommended as a routine form of pain control for these procedures.

Peripheral nerve block anesthesia/analgesia for patients undergoing primary hip and knee arthroplasty: recommendations from the International Consensus on Anesthesia-Related Outcomes after Surgery (ICAROS) group based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of current literature

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based international expert consensus regarding the impact of peripheral nerve block (PNB) use in total hip/knee arthroplasty surgery.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis: randomized controlled and observational studies investigating the impact of PNB utilization on major complications, including mortality, cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, thromboembolic, neurologic, infectious, and bleeding complications.Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library including Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, were queried from 1946 to August 4, 2020.The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to assess evidence quality and for the development of recommendations.

RESULTS

Analysis of 122 studies revealed that PNB use (compared with no use) was associated with lower ORs for (OR with 95% CIs) for numerous complications (total hip and knee arthroplasties (THA/TKA), respectively): cognitive dysfunction (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.53/OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.80), respiratory failure (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.74/OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.75), cardiac complications (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.93/OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.86), surgical site infections (OR 0.55 95% CI 0.47 to 0.64/OR 0.86 95% CI 0.80 to 0.91), thromboembolism (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.96/OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.96) and blood transfusion (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.86/OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the current body of evidence, the consensus group recommends PNB use in THA/TKA for improved outcomes.

RECOMMENDATION

PNB use is recommended for patients undergoing THA and TKA except when contraindications preclude their use. Furthermore, the alignment of provider skills and practice location resources needs to be ensured. Evidence level: moderate; recommendation: strong.

Postoperative pain treatment with transmuscular quadratus lumborum block and fascia iliaca compartment block in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Patients often suffer moderate or even severe pain after total hip arthroplasty; such pain seriously affects early postoperative recovery. This study aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum block combined with fascia iliaca compartment block for elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

Fifty-four patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty were included in this randomized controlled study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive only transmuscular quadratus lumborum block (group Q) or transmuscular quadratus lumborum block combined with fascia iliaca compartment block (group QF) with ultrasound guidance. Postoperatively in both groups, paracetamol 1 g was regularly administered at 6 h intervals and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was administered. The primary outcome was cumulative sufentanil consumption via patient-controlled intravenous analgesia 24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included pain degree, time to the first analgesic requirement, joint range of motion, quality of recovery, and the incidence of postoperative complications.

Results

Fifty patients were included, and their data were analyzed. The cumulative sufentanil consumption in group QF was significantly lower during the first 24 h after surgery than that in group Q, and the cumulative sufentanil consumption in group QF was reduced at 6–12 and 12–18 h after surgery. The postoperative pain intensity was lower in group QF than in group Q (linear mixed-effects model, the main effect of treatment: P < 0.001). Compared with group Q, group QF had higher quality of recovery and joint range of movement. The time to the first analgesic requirement was longer in group QF than in group Q (log-rank, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in complications postoperatively between the two groups.

Conclusions

Our study provides a multimodal, opioid-sparing analgesic regimen for elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The combination of transmuscular quadratus lumborum block and fascia iliaca compartment block provides a significant advantage for early postoperative functional recovery. Further studies are required to confirm the minimum effective dose.

Trial registration

The study was registered on the 21st December 2020 (retrospectively registered) on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000038686.

Assessing outcome in postoperative pain trials: are we missing the point? A systematic review of pain-related outcome domains reported in studies early after total knee arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

The management of acute postoperative pain remains suboptimal. Systematic reviews and Cochrane analysis can assist with collating evidence about treatment efficacy, but the results are limited in part by heterogeneity of endpoints in clinical trials. In addition, the chosen endpoints may not be entirely clinically relevant. To investigate the endpoints assessed in perioperative pain trials, we performed a systematic literature review on outcome domains assessing effectiveness of acute pain interventions in trials after total knee arthroplasty. We followed the Cochrane recommendations for systematic reviews, searching PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase, resulting in the screening of 1590 potentially eligible studies. After final inclusion of 295 studies, we identified 11 outcome domains and 45 subdomains/descriptors with the domain "pain"/"pain intensity" most commonly assessed (98.3%), followed by "analgesic consumption" (88.8%) and "side effects" (75.3%). By contrast, "physical function" (53.5%), "satisfaction" (28.8%), and "psychological function" (11.9%) were given much less consideration. The combinations of outcome domains were inhomogeneous throughout the studies, regardless of the type of pain management investigated. In conclusion, we found that there was high variability in outcome domains and inhomogeneous combinations, as well as inconsistent subdomain descriptions and utilization in trials comparing for effectiveness of pain interventions after total knee arthroplasty. This points towards the need for harmonizing outcome domains, eg, by consenting on a core outcome set of domains which are relevant for both stakeholders and patients. Such a core outcome set should include at least 3 domains from 3 different health core areas such as pain intensity, physical function, and one psychological domain.

A comparison of analgesic techniques for total knee arthroplasty: A network meta-analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

There is no established analgesic method for postoperative total knee arthroplasty. We comprehensively compared the analgesic methods for postoperative total knee arthroplasty.

DESIGN

A network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was used to compare 18 interventions, which were ranked by six outcome indices, to select the best modality.

SETTING

Postoperative recovery room and inpatient ward.

PATIENTS

98 randomised controlled trials involving 7452 patients (ASA I-III) were included in the final analysis.

INTERVENTIONS

Studies that included the use of at least one of the following 12 nerve block(fascia iliaca compartment block (FIB), FNB, cFNB, single femoral nerve block (sFNB), adductor canal block (ACB), sciatic nerve block (SNB), obturator nerve block (ONB), continuous posterior lumbar plexus block (PSOAS), FNB + SNB, ACB + LIA, FNB + LIA, PCA + FNB).

MEASUREMENTS

Pain intensity was compared using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Also, postoperative complications, function score, hospital length of stay, morphine consumption and patient satisfaction were measured.

MAIN RESULTS

For visual analogue scale scores, continuous femoral nerve block (FNB) and FNB + sciatic nerve block (SNB) were the the most effective interventions. For reducing postoperative complications, fascia iliaca compartment block, FNB, SNB, and obturator nerve block showed the best results. For reducing postoperative morphine consumption, adductor canal block (ACB) + local infiltration analgesia (LIA) and FNB + SNB were preferred. For function scores (range of motion, Timed-Up-and-Go test), ACB and LIA were optimal choices. For reducing hospital length of stay and patient satisfaction, ACB + LIA and FNB + LIA were best, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Peripheral nerve block, especially FNB and ACB, is a better option than other analgesic methods, and its combination with other methods can be beneficial. Peripheral nerve block is a safe and effective postoperative analgesia method. However, our findings can only provide objective evidence. Clinicians should choose the treatment course based on the individual patient's condition and clinical situation.

The Diagnosis and Therapy of Degenerative Knee Joint Disease: Expert Consensus from the Chinese Pain Medicine Panel

At present, there are many constantly updated guidelines and consensuses on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis both at home and abroad. The recommendations established using methods of evidence-based medicine has experienced strict research on controlling bias and promoting reproduction rate. As a result, the previous evidence was reevaluated, and a lot of changes were provoked in the diagnosis and treatment concept of osteoarthritis. However, several methods not recommended by foreign guidelines are still in use in the current clinical practice in China. On the one hand, Chinese experts have not reached extensive consensus on whether it is necessary to make changes according to foreign guidelines. On the other hand, almost all the current relevant guidelines are on osteoarthritis, but the lesions around knee joints which, as a whole, bear the largest weight in human body, cannot be ignored. For this purpose, Chinese Association for the Study of Pain (CASP) organized some leading experts to formulate this Chinese Pain Specialist Consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative knee osteoarthritis (DKOA) in combination with the guidelines in foreign countries and the expert experience of clinical practice in China. The consensus, which includes the definition, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnostic criteria, and treatments of DKOA, is intended to be used by first-line doctors, including pain physicians to manage patients with DKOA.

Regional anesthesia to ameliorate postoperative analgesia outcomes in pediatric surgical patients: an updated systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Regional anesthesia is becoming increasingly popular among anesthesiologists in the management of postoperative analgesia following pediatric surgery. The main objective of this review was to systematically evaluate the last 5 years of randomized controlled trials on the role of regional anesthesia techniques in alleviating postoperative pain associated with various pediatric surgical procedures. Forty studies on 2,408 pediatric patients were evaluated. The majority of the articles published from 2013 to 2017 reported that the use of regional anesthesia minimized postoperative pain and reduced opioid consumption. Only a few surgical procedures (cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia repair, and non-laparoscopic major abdominal surgery) reported no significant difference in the postoperative pain relief compared with the standard anesthetic management. The growing number of randomized controlled trials in the pediatric literature is very promising; however, additional confirmation is needed to reinforce the use of specific regional anesthesia techniques to provide optimal postoperative pain relief for a few surgical procedures (reconstructive ear surgery, chest wall deformity, hypospadias, umbilical hernia, cleft palate repair) in pediatric patients. More randomized controlled trials are needed to establish regional anesthesia as an essential component of postoperative analgesia management in children.

Femoral nerve block versus fascia iliaca block for pain control in total knee and hip arthroplasty: A meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis aimed to perform a meta-analysis to compare the efficiency and safety between femoral nerve block (FNB) and fascia iliaca block (FIB) for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing total knee and hip arthroplasties.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in Medline (1966-2017.05), PubMed (1966-2017.05), Embase (1980-2017.05), ScienceDirect (1985-2017.05) and the Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria (1) Participants: Only published articles enrolling adult participants that with a diagnosis of end-stage of osteoarthritis and prepared for unilateral TKA or THA; (2) Interventions: The intervention group received FIB for postoperative pain management; (3) Comparisons: The control group was received FNB for postoperative pain control; (4) Outcomes: Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores in different periods, opioids consumption, length of stay and postoperative complications; (5) Study design: clinical randomized control trials (RCTs) were regarded as eligible in our study. Cochrane Hand book for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used for assessment of the included studies and risk of bias was shown. Fixed/random effect model was used according to the heterogeneity tested by I2 statistic. Sensitivity analysis was conducted and publication bias was assessed. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 11.0 software.

RESULTS

Five RCTs including 308 patients met the inclusion criteria. The present meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant differences between groups in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) score at 12 hours (SMD = -0.080, 95% CI: -0.306 to 0.145, P = .485), 24 hours (SMD = 0.098, 95% CI: -0.127 to 0.323, P = .393), and 48 hours (SMD = -0.001, 95% CI: -0.227 to 0.225, P = .993). No significant differences were found regarding opioid consumption at 12 hours (SMD = 0.026, 95% CI: -0.224 to 0.275, P = .840), 24 hours (SMD = 0.037, 95% CI: -0.212 to 0.286, P = .771), and 48 hours (SMD = -0.016, 95% CI: -0.265 to 0.233, P = .900). In addition, no significant increase of complications was identified between groups.

CONCLUSION

There is no significant differences of VAS scores at 12-48 hour and opioids consumption at 12-48 hour between two groups following total joint arthroplasty. No increased risk of nausea, vomiting and pruritus was observed in both groups. More high-quality large RCTs with long follow-up period are necessary for proper comparisons of the efficacy and safety of FNB with FIB. The present meta-analysis exists some limitations that should be noted: (1) Only five articles were included in present meta-analysis, although all of them are recently published RCTs, the sample size are relatively small; (2) Functional outcome is an important parameter, due to the insufficiency of relevant data, we cannot perform a meta-analysis. (3) Dose and types of local anesthetics are varied, which may influence the results; (4) The duration of follow up is relatively short which leads to underestimating complications. (5) Publication bias in present meta-analysis may influence the results.

The efficiency and safety of fascia iliaca block for pain control after total joint arthroplasty: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis aimed to perform a meta-analysis including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficiency and safety of fascia iliaca block (FIB) for pain control in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA).

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in Medline (1966-2017.03), PubMed (1966-2017.03), Embase (1980-2017.03), ScienceDirect (1985-2017.03) and the Cochrane Library. Study evaluated the efficiency and safety of FIB in TJA was selected. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 11.0 software.

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 270 patients met the inclusion criteria. The present meta-analysis indicated that there were significant differences between groups in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) score at 12 hours (SMD = -0.544, 95% CI: -0.806 to -0.281, P = .000) and 24 hours (SMD = -0.519, 95% CI: -0.764 to -0.273, P = .000), morphine equivalent consumption at 12 hours (SMD = -0.895, 95% CI: -1.164 to -0.626, P = .000) and 24 hours (SMD = -0.548, 95% CI:-0.793 to -0.303, P = .000). In addition, fewer adverse side effect was identified in FIB groups (RD = -0.139, 95% CI: -0.243 to -0.034, P = .009).

CONCLUSION

The application of fascia iliaca block could significantly reduce VAS scores and morphine consumption at 12 and 24 hours following total knee and hip arthroplasty. In addition, there were fewer adverse effects in FIB groups. Due to the limited quality of the evidence currently available, higher quality RCTs are required.