ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Analgesic efficacy of intracapsular and intra-articular local anaesthesia for knee arthroplasty

Current advancements in therapeutic approaches in orthopedic surgery: a review of recent trends

Recent advancements in orthopedic surgery have greatly improved the management of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. This review discusses the latest therapeutic approaches that have emerged in orthopedics. We examine the use of regenerative medicine, including stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, to accelerate healing and promote tissue regeneration. Additionally, we explore the application of robotic-assisted surgery, which provides greater precision and accuracy during surgical procedures. We also delve into the emergence of personalized medicine, which tailors treatments to individual patients based on their unique genetic and environmental factors. Furthermore, we discuss telemedicine and remote patient monitoring as methods for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. Finally, we examine the growing interest in using artificial intelligence and machine learning in orthopedics, particularly in diagnosis and treatment planning. Overall, these advancements in therapeutic approaches have significantly improved patient outcomes, reduced recovery times, and enhanced the overall quality of care in orthopedic surgery.

Management of perioperative pain after TKA

Postoperative pain is the prime obstacle to recovery of motion and return to activity after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Combating pain is a key point in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols. Outcome depends on the efficacy of pain relief, making it a major issue. The pain originates locally in the knee and also remotely via neural pathways. Regression can be slow, over several months. Pain may sometimes be definitive, to a varying degree. Pain should be managed at each step of ERAS, from the preoperative period to the last follow-up consultation, and most especially during the perioperative phase. Pain needs to be anticipated and limited for as long as necessary. The impact of analgesics should be enhanced by means of potentiators. Some are administered by general route, sometimes preoperatively; others are applied locally, directly in the surgical site by local injection, or close to the nerves, to reduce painful stimuli. The two main principles of pain management are preventive analgesia and multimodal analgesia associating various molecules and routes.

An Injectable Containing Morphine, Ropivacaine, Epinephrine, and Ketorolac Is Not Cytotoxic to Articular Cartilage Explants From Degenerative Knees

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a multidrug injectate containing morphine, ropivacaine, epinephrine, and ketorolac, commonly referred to as the "Orthococktail," on cartilage tissue viability and metabolic responses using an established in vitro model.

METHODS

With institutional review board approval and informed patient consent, tissues normally discarded after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were recovered. Full-thickness cartilage explants (n = 72, Outerbridge grade 1 to 3) were created and bisected. Paired explant halves were treated with either 1 mL Orthococktail or 1 mL of saline and cultured for 8 hours at 37°C, with 0.5 mL of the treatment being removed and replaced with tissue culture media every hour. Explants were cultured for 6 days, and media were changed and collected on days 3 and 6. After day 6, tissues were processed for cell viability, weighed, and processed for histologic grading. Outcome measures were compared for significant differences between treated and untreated samples.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in cartilage viability between control and Orthococktail-treated samples across a spectrum of cartilage pathologies. Orthococktail treatment consistently resulted in a significant decrease in the release of PGE2, MCP-1, MMP-7, and MMP-8 on day 3 of culture and PGE2, MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-8 on day 6 of culture, compared with saline controls.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicate that an Orthococktail injection composed of morphine, ropivacaine, epinephrine, and ketorolac is associated with a transient decrease in degradative and inflammatory mediators produced by more severely affected articular cartilage and may mitigate perioperative joint pain such that postoperative narcotic drug use could be reduced.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The Orthococktail solution used in this study may be a safe intraoperative, intra-articular injection option for patients undergoing joint arthroplasty and other joint preservation surgical procedures.

Continuous block at the proximal end of the adductor canal provides better analgesia compared to that at the middle of the canal after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Background

The optimal position for continuous adductor canal block (ACB) for analgesia after total knee anthroplasty (TKA) remians controversial, mainly due to high variability in the localization of the the adductor canal (AC). Latest neuroanatomy studies show that the nerve to vastus medialis plays an important role in innervating the anteromedial aspect of the knee and dives outside of the exact AC at the proximal end of the AC. Therefore, we hypothesized that continuous ACB at the proximal end of the exact AC could provide a better analgesic effect after TKA compared with that at the middle of the AC (which appeared to only block the saphenous nerve).

Methods

Sixty-two adult patients who were scheduled for a unilateral TKA were randomized to receive continuous ACB at the proximal end or middle of the AC. All patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with sufentanil postoperatively. The primary outcome measure was cumulative sufentanil consumption within 24 h after the surgery, which was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests. P-values < 0.05 (two-sided) were considered statistically significant. The secondary outcomes included postoperative sufentanil consumption at other time points, pain at rest and during passive knee flexion, quadriceps motor strength, and other recovery related paramaters.

Results

Sixty patients eventually completed the study (30/group). The 24-h sufentanil consumption was 0.22 μg/kg (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.15–0.40 μg/kg) and 0.39 μg/kg (IQR: 0.23–0.52 μg/kg) in the proximal end and middle groups (P = 0.026), respectively. There were no significant inter-group differences in sufentanil consumption at other time points, pain at rest and during passive knee flexion, quadriceps motor strength, and other recovery related paramaters.

Conclusions

Continuous ACB at the proximal end of the AC has a better opioid-sparing effect without a significant influence on quadriceps motor strength compared to that at the middle of the AC after TKA. These findings indicates that a true ACB may not produce the effective analgesia, instead, the proximal end AC might be a more suitable block to alleviate pain after TKA.

Trial registration

This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03942133; registration date: May 06, 2019; enrollment date: May 11, 2019).

A comparative study comparing area of extension of posterior knee capsule via posteromedial injection: a cadaveric study

BACKGROUND

Periarticular multimodal drug injection (PMDI) has gained popularity as common postoperative pain protocols in knee arthroplasty. PMDI sites can vary, but posterior capsule (PC) is a common injection site because of its abundance of pain nociceptors.

PURPOSE

To prove the hypothesis whether posteromedial drug injection alone is sufficient to provide enough effect covering the PC in order to reduce risks of neurovascular injury. Secondary outcomes are to find proper volume of injection and safe zone for PMDI injection.

METHODS

Ten fresh cadaveric knees were allocated into two equal groups, which differed in volume of dye injection: 25 ml and 50 ml. Dyes were injected into posteromedial capsule compartment, and the limbs were stored in a freezer for 2 weeks. Then the posterior compartment was carefully dissected to examine spreading of the dye solution.

RESULTS

No dye staining was seen superficially beneath subcutaneous tissue of the knees. In deeper layer, the dye mostly occupied medially along the fascia covering semimembranosus muscles. However, dispersion was limited distally by intermuscular septa and popliteal vessels. The 50-ml injection group provided wider extension in the superficial layer, but not in the deep layer.

CONCLUSION

The intermuscular septa and the fascia of popliteal vessels were shown to be the boundary between posteromedial and posterolateral compartments of the knee. Separate PMDI for both compartments is necessary to occupy the entire PC. We suggest that 1.5 cm lateral to lateral border of PCL insertion, just above popliteus tendon, is the safe zone for injecting PMDI into the posterolateral capsule.

Percutaneous periarticular multi-drug injection at one day after total knee arthroplasty as a component of multimodal pain management: a randomized control trial

Background

Although intraoperative periarticular multi-drug injection has been used for postoperative pain control after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the injection has the inherent shortcoming of limited acting time. This randomized controlled trial was performed to assess whether adding percutaneous periarticular multi-drug injection at the day following TKA would improve the postoperative pain relief.

Methods

A total of 43 participants were randomly assigned to receive additional periarticular injection at 08:30, postoperative day 1 or no additional injection. The multi-drug solution including 40 mg of methylprednisolone, 150 mg of ropivacaine, and 0.1 mg of epinephrine was infiltrated into the muscle belly of the vastus medialis. In both groups, patients were treated with intraoperative periarticular multi-drug injection and postoperative intravenous and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We did not use any narcotic pain medications postoperatively. The primary outcome was the patients’ global assessment of postoperative pain at rest measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and quantified as the area under the curve (AUC) of serial assessments until 20:00, postoperative day 5.

Results

The mean AUC for the postoperative pain VAS at rest was 1616 ± 1191 in patients received the additional periarticular injection versus 2808 ± 1494 in those received no injection (mean difference, − 1192; 95% confidence interval, − 2043 to − 340; p = 0.007). No wound complication or surgical site infection was observed in either groups.

Conclusions

Adding percutaneous periarticular multi-drug injection at the day following TKA may provide better postoperative pain relief. Further studies are needed to confirm the safety of the percutaneous injection.

Trial registration

University Hospital Medical Information Network UMIN000029003. Registered 5 September 2017.

Peripheral Nerve Blocks vs Periarticular Injections in Total Knee Arthroplasty

In patients undergoing surgery, optimal pain management is associated with improved perioperative outcomes, patient satisfaction with surgery, and a more rapid functional recovery. In recent years, the employment of multimodal pain management strategies has become increasingly widespread. In particular, there has been an explosion in the use of peripheral nerve blockade and periarticular injections in total knee arthroplasty. However, there is significant variability in the administration of either modality of anesthesia. As such, a critical evaluation of the current literature is warranted to elucidate the advantages and disadvantages of each technique with the ultimate goal of further refining current pain control strategies. In this symposium, we review each of these modalities and their association with pain management, narcotic consumption, length of hospital stay, and adverse events.

Optimizing the dose of local infiltration analgesia and gabapentin for total knee arthroplasty, a randomized single blind trial in 128 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Effective analgesia is essential for postoperative recovery and rehabilitation in TKA. The challenge of analgesic regimes is to obtain adequate pain relief and maximum muscle control to mobilize and rehabilitate patients early. However, the optimal dose and best composition are not known. We hypothesized that there would be no differences in reported postoperative pain on the day of the TKA surgery as well as the first day after surgery when different combinations of ropivacain for LIA and gabapentin are given.

METHODS

This prospective randomized trial examined 128 TKA patients treated with LIA and gabapentin in four groups. Group A: 300-mg ropivacain/600-300-300-mg gabapentin. Group B: 150-mg ropivacain/600-300-300-mg gabapentin. Group C: 300-mg ropivacain/300-100-100-mg gabapentin. Group D: 150-mg ropivacain/300-100-100-mg gabapentin. Primary endpoint was pain (NRS) at multiple moments. Secondary endpoints were number of adverse effects, length of hospital stay (LOS), the amount of consumption of pain medication, and wound leakage. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to detect differences between the four groups regarding the course of pain.

RESULTS

No differences regarding adverse effects, LOS, and wound leakage were found. GEE revealed a significant difference in course of pain between group A and B, with group B experiencing higher NRS scores postoperatively than group A (p=0.021). No differences between the other groups were found.

INTERPRETATION

The results of the current study suggest that LIA with 300-mg (150ml) ropivacain might be more effective than 150-mg (75ml) ropivacain. Alteration in dose of gabapentin appears not to have influence on the course of pain.

No advantage of adrenaline in the local infiltration analgesia mixture during total knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE

Local infiltration analgesia (LIA) is widely applied in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In daily practice, adrenaline is added to the LIA mixture to achieve vasoconstriction. However, adrenaline has some possible negative side effects (e.g. tissue necrosis). This trial investigated whether ropivacaine alone is at least as effective for postoperative pain relief after LIA.

METHODS

Fifty patients scheduled for primary TKA were included in this prospective randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study receiving high-volume (150 mL) single-shot intra-capsular LIA with ropivacaine (2 %) with (Ropi+) or without (Ropi-) adrenaline (0.01 %). All patients received the same pre-, peri- and postoperative care with multimodal oral pain protocol. Postoperative pain was assessed before and after the first mobilization and during the first 48 h postoperative using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes were rescue medication use, early mobilization, length of hospital stay, adverse events (AE's) and readmission rates. Patient reported outcomes measures (PROMS); Oxford Knee Score and WOMAC, were obtained preoperative and 3 months postoperative.

RESULTS

VAS scores were not significantly different before (n.s.) and after the first mobilization (n.s.), neither over the first 48 h postoperative (n.s.). Patients who needed rescue medication (n.s.), who mobilized <6 h postoperative (n.s.), who were discharged before postoperative day 3 (n.s.), AE's and readmission rate (n.s.) were comparable between both groups. At 3-month follow-up, PROMS significantly improved within both groups.

CONCLUSION

To prevent possible negative side effects (e.g. tissue necrosis), adrenaline should be omitted from the LIA mixture. Single-shot LIA with ropivacaine alone results in clinical acceptable adequate pain control and can be used in daily TKA practice.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Randomized, double-blind, prospective clinical trial, Level I.

Can local infiltration analgesia increase satisfaction in postoperative short-term pain control in total knee arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND

One of the major challenges to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is optimal pain control. Effective analgesia is capital in fast-track surgery programs to allow patient's early functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

Compare length of stay (LOS) short-term pain control, and patients' satisfaction at 1 month between local infiltration analgesia (LIA) combined with femoral nerve block (FNB) and FNB only in patients undergoing TKA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two hundred and fifty-four patients were included in a randomized prospective study and distributed in two groups. The first group received an intraoperative LIA (150 mL mixture of ropivacaine 2.0 mg/mL + ketorolac 30 mg + adrenaline 10 μg/mL) combined to an FNB. The control group had only an FNB. Demographical data and visual analog scale (VAS) score were obtained preoperatively, at 36 h after surgery and at the 15-day follow-up. Patients' satisfaction at 1 month was also evaluated. Statistical analysis data was performed.

RESULTS

No differences in demographical data and preoperative VAS score were observed between both groups. LIA group had a lower VAS score at 36 h after surgery (1.34 ± 1.31 vs. 3.68 ± 1.932 in the control group, p = 0.00), but these differences were not maintained at the 15-day follow-up (4.51 ± 1.889 vs. 4.11 ± 1.940 in the control group, p > 0.05). LOS and patients' satisfaction were comparable between groups. Patients with LIA had no additional complications.

CONCLUSIONS

LIA is a safe adjuvant to FNB to reduce perioperative pain during the first 36 h after TKA. Its effects wean with time, but do cover the first crucial hours of rehabilitation in a fast-track program. LIA seems don't modify postoperative course nor patient's satisfaction at short-term follow-up. The final impact of LIA on surgical outcome is still to be determined.

No effect of the infiltration of local anaesthetic for total hip arthroplasty using an anterior approach

Only limited data are available regarding the infiltration of local anaesthetic for total hip arthroplasty (THA), and no studies were performed for THA using the anterior approach.

In this prospective, randomised placebo-controlled study we investigated the effect of both standard and reverse infiltration of local anaesthetic in combination with the anterior approach for THA. The primary endpoint was the mean numeric rating score for pain four hours post-operatively. In addition, we recorded the length of hospital stay, the operating time, the destination of the patient at discharge, the use of pain medication, the occurrence of side effects and pain scores at various times post-operatively.

Between November 2012 and January 2014, 75 patients were included in the study. They were randomised into three groups: standard infiltration of local anaesthetic, reversed infiltration of local anaesthetic, and placebo. There was no difference in mean numeric rating score for pain four hours post-operatively (p = 0.87). There were significantly more side effects at one and eight hours post-operatively in the placebo group (p = 0.02; p = 0.03), but this did not influence the mobilisation of the patients. There were no differences in all other outcomes between the groups.

We found no clinically relevant effect when the infiltration of local anaesthetic with ropivacaine and epinephrine was used in a multimodal pain protocol for THA using the anterior approach.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:734–40.

Doubtful effect of continuous intraarticular analgesia after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized double-blind study of 200 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Local infiltration analgesia (LIA) is well established for effective postoperative pain relief in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To prolong the effect of LIA, infusion pumps with local intraarticular analgesia can be used. We evaluated the effect of such an infusion pump for the first 48 h postoperatively regarding pain, knee function, length of stay (LOS) in hospital, and complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

200 patients received peroperative LIA and a continuous intraarticular elastomeric infusion pump set at 2 mL/h. The patients were randomized either to ropivacaine (7.5 mg/mL) or to NaCl (9 mg/mL) in the pump. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain (0-100 mm), analgesic consumption, side effects of medicine, range of motion (ROM), leg-raising ability, LOS, and complications during the first 3 months were recorded.

RESULTS

On the first postoperative day, the ropivacaine group had lower VAS pain (33 vs. 40 at 12 noon and 36 vs. 43 at 8 p.m.; p = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively), but after that all recorded variables were similar between the groups. During the first 3 months, the ropivacaine group had a greater number of superficial and deep surgical wound infections (11 patients vs. 2 patients, p = 0.02). There were no other statistically significant differences between the groups.

INTERPRETATION

Continuous intraarticular analgesia (CIAA) with ropivacaine after TKA has no relevant clinical effect on VAS pain and does not affect LOS, analgesic consumption, ROM, or leg-raising ability. There may, however, be a higher risk of wound-healing complications including deep infections.

Analgesic efficacy of local infiltration analgesia in hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in local infiltration analgesia (LIA) as a technique to control postoperative pain. We conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials investigating LIA for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of LIA for early postoperative pain treatment. In addition, the analgesic efficacy of wound catheters and implications for length of hospital stay (LOS) were evaluated. Twenty-seven randomized controlled trials in 756 patients operated on with THA and 888 patients operated on with TKA were selected for inclusion in the review. In THA, no additional analgesic effect of LIA compared with placebo was reported in trials with low risk of bias when a multimodal analgesic regimen was administered perioperatively. Compared with intrathecal morphine and epidural analgesia, LIA was reported to have similar or improved analgesic efficacy. In TKA, most trials reported reduced pain and reduced opioid requirements with LIA compared with a control group treated with placebo/no injection. Compared with femoral nerve block, epidural or intrathecal morphine LIA provided similar or improved analgesia in the early postoperative period but most trials had a high risk of bias due to different systemic analgesia between groups. Overall, the use of wound catheters for postoperative administration of local anaesthetic was not supported in the included trials, and LOS was not related to analgesic efficacy. Despite the many studies of LIA, final interpretation is hindered by methodological insufficiencies in most studies, especially because of differences in use of systemic analgesia between groups. However, LIA provides effective analgesia in the initial postoperative period after TKA in most randomized clinical trials even when combined with multimodal systemic analgesia. In contrast, LIA may have limited additional analgesic efficacy in THA when combined with a multimodal analgesic regimen. Postoperative administration of local anaesthetic in wound catheters did not provide additional analgesia when systemic analgesia was similar and LOS was not related to use of LIA with a fast-track set-up.

Pain after knee arthroplasty: an unresolved issue

PURPOSE

Despite the recent advances in the understanding of pain mechanisms and the introduction of new drugs and new techniques in the postoperative management, pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is still an unresolved issue. It affects the quality of life and rehabilitation of an important percentage of patients undergoing TKA. The aim of this narrative review was to give an overview on pain mechanisms and multimodal pain management.

METHODS

A review of all peer-reviewed articles on pain after knee arthroplasty was performed by two reviewers. Recent articles on incisional pain mechanisms were included because of their importance in the understanding of postsurgical pain. Search was performed in Pubmed, Cochrane and Google Scholar data bases.

RESULTS

Postsurgical pain mechanisms are based on both local and systemic inflammatory reactions. Peri-operative pain management starts with the anaesthetic technique and resides on a multimodal analgesia regimen. New concepts, drugs and techniques have shown their efficacy in reducing the severity of acute postoperative pain and the risk of developing chronic pain after TKA.

CONCLUSION

This narrative review offers a clear overview of pain mechanism after knee arthroplasty and an understanding on how multimodal pain management can reduce the intensity and duration of pain after knee arthroplasty.

Periarticular multimodal drug injection in total knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE

A systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to evaluate the efficiency and safety of periarticular multimodal drug injection in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

Periarticular injection with the use of multimodal drugs is an efficient alternative for postoperative analgesia in TKA. A systematical electronic search was performed to identify the eligible RCTs in the databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Two independent reviewers completed data collection and assessment of methodological quality. The quality of evidence of outcomes was judged using GRADE criteria. Meta-analysis was performed for the outcomes of pain, straight leg raise, operating time, hospital stay and complications.

RESULTS

Ten RCTs including eight studies with 1,216 TKAs in 835 patients met the inclusion criteria. Periarticular injection with multimodal drugs in TKA was associated with short-term benefits in terms of pain relief, straight leg raise, narcotic consumption, and the rates of nausea, vomiting, rash and pruritus. There were no statistically significant differences in operating time, hospital stay, wound complications and deep vein thrombosis between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence suggests that periarticular multimodal drug injection in TKA provides short-term advantages in pain relief, straight leg raise and postoperative complications.

Systematic review of high-volume multimodal wound infiltration in total knee arthroplasty

Pain relief following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is challenging because early mobilization and rehabilitation are essential for a successful outcome. Postoperative pain can limit recovery, leading to reduced mobility and prolonged hospitalization. There are potential benefits of infiltrating high volumes of local anesthetics around the soft tissues of replaced hip and knee joints. The risk of systemic toxicity is minimized with diluted local anesthetic solution, which also allows a high volume to be used. One of the principal advantages is that analgesia agents are administered intraoperatively by the surgeon, thereby minimizing the need for additional invasive procedures. The authors conducted a systematic review to evaluate whether high-volume multimodal wound infiltration reduces pain and opiate intake while enhancing early rehabilitation and discharge when used in patients undergoing TKA. Only randomized controlled studies were included. Although better pain relief in the immediate postoperative period with wound infiltration is gained after TKA, there is no definite evidence that this leads to a reduction in opiate consumption, the achievement of early milestones, or a reduction in hospital stay. The roles of individual agents in achieving pain relief and the use of percutaneous wound catheter for postoperative doses are also unclear. There are few reports of complications, including falls and delayed mobilization, when femoral nerve blocks are used. Wound infiltration analgesia should be used at the preference of the surgeon and anesthetist provided regular review of their practice is undertaken to identify any untoward side effects. Further randomized trials with sufficient sample size comparing each outcome, including pain scores, opiate consumption, and length of hospital stay, should be undertaken.

General anaesthesia with multimodal principles versus intrathecal analgesia with conventional principles in total knee arthroplasty: a consecutive, randomized study

Background

Postoperative outcomes following major surgery are influenced by surgical and anaesthesiological factors. While techniques of minimal invasive surgery have been associated with improved outcome, the techniques of minimal invasive, multimodal anaesthesia have not been adequately investigated. The aim of this study was to compare intrathecally based anaesthesia (ITA) including standardized, traditional intraoperative and postoperative care, with, general anaesthesia (GA) combined with intraoperative glucocorticoids, exclusion of intraoperative tourniquet and indwelling urethral catheter, and, an accelerated postoperative care regime. Outcome variables in the study were pain, requirement of analgesics, global satisfaction score and length-of-hospital stay.

Methods

Sixty patients were included and randomized to the ITA or the GA group. The ITA group received intrathecal bupivacaine (12.5 - 15.0 mg)/morphine (0.1 mg)/clonidine (0.03 mg), a standard surgical procedure, local infiltration analgesia (LIA) with ropivacaine (110 mg) /epinephrine (0.5 mg)/morphine (10 mg), an indwelling urethral catheter and mobilization with start Day 1 after the surgery. The GA group received a target-controlled infusion of propofol/remifentanil, betamethasone 4 mg i.v. intraoperatively, surgery was performed without a tourniquet, an indwelling urethral catheter was not used, LIA was with ropivacaine (250 mg)/epinephrine (0.3 mg) and mobilization was planned with start ≤ 2 hrs. after end of surgery. Outcomes were followed daily for the first 96 hrs. and at visits 3 months and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

Requirement of analgesics was decreased in the ITA group in the immediate postoperative period (P < 0.05). Pain scores were significantly lower in the ITA group (P < 0.01) between 0 - 12 hrs and in the GA group (P < 0.05) between 12 - 24 hrs after surgery. Fifteen of the patients in the GA group had to be intermittent catheterized due to bladder volumes > 400 mL. The LOS in the ITA group was significantly longer compared to the GA group (P < 0.01). There was no difference in global satisfaction score.

Conclusion

General anaesthesia combined with intraoperative glucocorticoids and accelerated postoperative care, compared with, intrathecal blockade and traditional postoperative care, seems to generate the same overall pain ratings and a decrease in length-of-hospital stay, in patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty.

Fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty: clinical and organizational aspects

Fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty aims at giving the patients the best available treatment at all times, being a dynamic entity. Fast-track combines evidence-based, clinical features with organizational optimization including a revision of traditions resulting in a streamlined pathway from admission till discharge – and beyond. The goal is to reduce morbidity, mortality and functional convalescence with an earlier achievement of functional milestones including functional discharge criteria with subsequent reduced length of stay and high patient satisfaction. Outcomes are traditionally measured as length of stay; safety aspects in the form of morbidity/mortality; patient satisfaction; and – as a secondary parameter – economic savings. Optimization of the clinical aspects include focusing on analgesia; DVT-prophylaxis; mobilization; care principles including functional discharge criteria; patient-characteristics to predict outcome; and traditions which may be barriers in optimizing outcomes. Patients should be informed and motivated to be active participants and their expectations should be modulated in order to improve satisfaction. Also, organizational aspects need to be analyzed and optimized. New logistical approaches should be implemented; the ward ideally (re)structured to only admit arthroplasties; the staff educated to have a uniform approach; extensive preoperative information given including discharge criteria and intended length of stay. This thesis includes 9 papers on clinical and organizational aspects of fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty (I–IX). A detailed description of the fast-track set-up and its components is provided. Major results include identification of patient characteristics to predict length of stay and satisfaction with different aspects of the hospital stay (I); how to optimize analgesia by using a compression bandage in total knee arthroplasty (II); the clinical and organizational set-up facilitating or acting as barriers for early discharge (III); safety aspects following fast-track in the form of few readmissions in general (IV) and few thromboembolic complications in particular (V); feasibility studies showing excellent outcomes following fast-track bilateral simultaneous total knee arthroplasty (VI) and non-septic revision knee arthroplasty (VII); how acute pain relief in total hip arthroplasty is not enhanced by the use of local infiltration analgesia when multi-modal opioid-sparing analgesia is given (VIII); and a detailed description of which clinical and organizational factors detain patients in hospital following fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty (IX). Economic savings following fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty is also documented in studies, reviews, metaanalyses and Cochrane reviews – including the present fast-track (ANORAK). In conclusion, the published results (I–IX) provide substantial, important new knowledge on clinical and organizational aspects of fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty – with concomitant documented high degrees of safety (morbidity/mortality) and patient satisfaction. Future research strategies are multiple and include both research strategies as efforts to implement the fast-track methodology on a wider basis. Research areas include improvements in pain treatment, blood saving strategies, fluid plans, reduction of complications, avoidance of tourniquet and concomitant blood loss, improved early functional recovery and muscle strengthening. Also, improvements in information and motivation of the patients, preoperative identification of patients needing special attention and detailed economic studies of fast- track are warranted.

The local infiltration of analgesia following total knee replacement

Controversy remains regarding the optimal post-operative analgesic regimen following total knee replacement. A delicate balance is required between the provision of adequate pain relief and early mobilisation. By reviewing 29 randomised trials we sought to establish whether local infiltration of analgesia directly into the knee during surgery provides better pain relief and a more rapid rehabilitation. Although we were able to conclude that local infiltration can provide improved post-operative pain relief, and to suggest the most promising technique of administration, there is no evidence that it reduces hospital stay.

Local infiltration analgesia in joint replacement: the evidence and recommendations for clinical practice

Relief of acute pain after hip and knee replacement represents a major therapeutic challenge as post-operative pain hinders early mobilisation and rehabilitation with subsequent consequences on mobility, duration of hospitalisation and overall recovery. In recent years, there has been increased interest in high-volume local wound infiltration/infusion techniques in these operations with a combined administration of local anaesthetics, NSAIDs and epinephrine. This review provides an update of the current knowledge of the efficacy of the high-volume wound infiltration technique based on randomised trials. It is concluded that a predominant part of the data have had an insufficient design by not being placebo-controlled or with comparable systemic analgesia provided in the investigated groups. It is concluded that there is little evidence to support the use of the technique in hip replacement either intraoperatively or with a post-operative wound infusion catheter technique, provided that multimodal, oral non-opioid analgesia is given. In knee replacement, the data support the intraoperative use of the local infiltration technique but not the post-operative use of wound catheter administration. In knee replacement, a compression bandage prolongs the analgesic effect. There are limited data to support the use of NSAIDs or epinephrine in the solution and the data on post-operative hospitalisation and recovery are conflicting. Thus, shorter lengths of stay have been achieved by oral multimodal, non-opioid analgesia together with organisational optimisation of care according to the fast-track methodology.

Local infiltration analgesia

Pain after major abdominal, orthopedic, and thoracic surgeries can be significant causing unacceptable morbidity. Poorly controlled pain results in patient dissatisfaction and may also be associated with major morbidities, including perioperative myocardial ischemia, pulmonary complications, altered immune function, and postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Various techniques are currently used to manage this pain, and opioids are amongst the most frequently used. Recent literature supports the use of regional anesthesia in the form of various peripheral nerve blocks as a better alternative. This article discusses the role and evidence for wound infiltration analgesia in general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and thoracic surgery.