Analgesic efficacy of adding the IPACK block to multimodal analgesia protocol for primary total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Optimised fast-track protocols in total knee arthroplasty determine shorter hospitalisation time and lower perioperative/postoperative complications

PURPOSE

This literature review aims to present evidence-based clinical recommendations for the eight most debated topics related to perioperative management in total knee arthroplasty: counselling, prehabilitation, transfusion risk, tranexamic acid, drainage, analgesia, urinary catheter and compression stockings.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team conducted a systematic review on these topics. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for the literature review and result presentation. The research encompassed articles from 1 January 2009 to 28 February 2023, retrieved through the MEDLINE database via PubMed, Embase database and Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

Forty-five articles were selected. Preoperative counselling has limited evidence for its impact on postoperative outcomes; yet, it can help alleviate surgery-related anxiety and manage postoperative symptoms. Prehabilitation can also prepare patients for surgery, reducing hospital stays and improving postsurgery functionality. Numerous studies suggest that preoperative Hb levels are independently linked to transfusion risk, with a recommended level of 13 g/dL. Combining intravenous and local tranexamic acid administration is strongly advised to reduce perioperative blood loss, while drainage after primary total knee arthroplasty offers no functional advantages. Employing a multimodal analgesia approach yields better results with reduced opioid usage. Indwelling urinary catheters provide no benefit and avoiding them can lower the risk of urinary tract infections. As for compression stockings, there is insufficient evidence in the literature to support their efficacy in preventing venous thromboembolism.

CONCLUSION

The best-track protocol has demonstrated its efficacy in reducing hospitalisation time and perioperative/postoperative complications. It is success relies on a collaborative, resource-adaptive approach led by a multidisciplinary team. Both patients and hospitals benefit from this approach, as it enhances care quality and lowers costs. Several studies have highlighted the significance of a patient-centred approach in achieving high-quality care. Creating a novel treatment protocol could be a prospective goal in the near future.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Does Adding an IPACK Block to the Suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Block Improve the Quality of Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Knee Arthroplasty under Spinal Anesthesia? A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background and Objectives: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a commonly performed orthopedic procedure, and is often accompanied by significant postoperative pain. The supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block (SIFIB), similar to an anterior lumbar plexus block, is frequently used in hip surgeries. The interspace between the popliteal artery and capsule of the posterior knee (IPACK) block is a regional anesthesia technique that targets the posterior innervation of the knee capsule. This retrospective study aimed to compare the analgesic effects of SIFIB and SIFIB + IPACK on patients undergoing TKA under spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study revealed the data collected from a tertiary hospital. Patient data were gathered for individuals who underwent unilateral TKA under spinal anesthesia during the period between 1 January 2023 and 1 September 2023. Inclusion criteria comprised patients falling within ASA class I-III, those following a standardized perioperative analgesia regimen, and individuals receiving opioids via a patient-controlled analgesia device (PCA) as part of their postoperative pain management strategy. Patients were grouped as SIFIB and SIFIB + IPACK according to the performed regional anesthesia technique. Results: In the study, the data of 88 patients in total, 61 in the SIFIB group and 27 in the IPACK group, were analyzed. The 24 h cumulative morphine consumption was similar in the SIFIB and SIFIB + IPACK groups (10.62 ± 6.58 mg vs. 12.55 ± 8.84 mg, respectively; p: 0.258). The NRS scores of the groups were similar in all time frames. Conclusions: Our study reveals that combining IPACK with SIFIB in the multimodal analgesia plan does not provide additional benefits in terms of postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores in patients undergoing unilateral THA under spinal anesthesia.

A quadruple peripheral nerve block outside the OR for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction reduces the OR occupancy time

PURPOSE

The use of regional anesthesia (RA) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction reduces morphine consumption, the time spent in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and the hospital readmission rate. However, RA failures due to delays in the induction of anesthesia and its unpredictable success rate (Cuvillon et al. Ann Fr Anesth 29:710-715, 2010; Jankowski et al. Anesth Analg 10.1213/01.ANE.0000081798.89853.E7) can lead to disorganization of the operating room (OR) schedule. The hypothesis is that performing RA outside the OR will significantly reduce the OR occupancy time relative to using general anesthesia (GA). The primary objective was to compare the OR occupancy time between RA and GA when performing ACL reconstruction.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, single-center study of data collected prospectively from consecutive patients operated by a single surgeon between January 2019 and December 2020. The patients undergoing ACL reconstruction were divided into two groups based on the type of anesthesia they received (GA, RA). RA consisted of a quadruple peripheral nerve block (femoral, sciatic, obturator and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves). The durations of the perioperative stages of the patient's journey in the OR suite were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

The analysis involved 469 ACL reconstructions: 356 GA and 113 RA. The two groups were comparable in age, gender and ASA score (American Society of Anesthesiologists). The OR occupancy time for ACL reconstruction with RA was reduced by a mean of 13 min (70 ± 12 SD vs. 83 ± 14 SD; P < 0.0001) and the PACU time by 41 min relative to GA (P < 0.0001). The entry-incision time was reduced by an average of 8 min and the end-exit time by 3 min (P < 0.0001). The care time in the PACU was reduced from 84 ± 35 to 46 ± 26 min (P < 0.0001). However, performing anesthesia outside the OR (i.e., in a RA block room) did not reduce the turnover time (n.s).

CONCLUSION

Performing RA outside the OR reduced the OR occupancy time by nearly 20% relative to using GA for ACL reconstructions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.