Lower pain intensity was recorded early after surgery in ITM group but later, analgesic consumption, pain intensity on mobilization, and side-effects were lower in patients receiving LIA. LIA is a good alternative to ITM in patients undergoing THA.

AbstractBackground and aimsSeveral methods for pain management following total hip arthroplasty (THA) have been described but the best postoperative pain management technique remains uncertain. We compared surgeon applied local infiltration analgesia (LIA) with anaesthesiologist performed femoral nerve block (FNB) using ultrasound. The primary aim was to assess pain intensity 24 h after THA.MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind study, 56 patients (ASA I-III) undergoing THA consented to participate. In Group FNB, patients received an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block using 30 ml of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml (225 mg) while Group LIA received a similar volume of saline. Spinal anaesthesia was then performed and bupivacaine heavy, 3–3.5 ml injected depending on patient characteristics. During surgery, patients in Group LIA received a mixture of 300 mg (150 ml) ropivacaine, ketorolac 30 mg (1 ml) and adrenaline 0.5 mg (0.5 ml) (total volume 151.5 ml) peri-articularly and subcutaneously while Group FNB received 151.5 ml of saline peri-articularly in a systematic way by the surgeon. A multi-hole catheter was placed with the tip placed intra-articularly at the end of surgery in both groups. After 23 h, the LIA mixture consisting of 20 ml ropivacaine (7.5 mg/ml), ketorolac 30 mg (1 ml), adrenaline 0.1 mg (1 ml) (total volume 22 ml) was injected in Group LIA and the same volume of saline in Group FNB. Postoperative pain, analgesic consumption (postoperative and post-discharge), side effects, home discharge, quality of life and hip function were recorded, the latter up to 6 months after surgery.ResultsPostoperative pain intensity was significantly lower in Group LIA compared to Group FNB during mobilization at 24 h (primary endpoint), mean difference 1.8 NRS units (95% CI 0.7–2.9) (P = 0.006), at rest after 4 h (P = 0.029) and on standing after 24 (P = 0.0003) and 48 h (P = 0.043). Rescue morphine consumption was also significantly lower in Group LIA during 0–24, mean difference 13.5 mg (95% CI, 6.1–20.9) (P = 0.002) postoperatively. Motor block was greater at 6 h (P = 0.029) postoperatively in Group FNB. Two patients (one in each group) had persistent post-surgical pain (NRS > 3) at 3 months (3.6%) but none at 6 month. No other differences were found between the groups.ConclusionLocal infiltration analgesia significantly reduces pain intensity on standing and mobilization, and rescue analgesic consumption compared to femoral nerve block without causing significant side effects. The superior analgesia in the LIA group may result from the secondary injection at 23 h postoperatively and needs to be furtherevaluated in future studies. No differences were found in home discharge, quality of life and hip dysfunction between the groups.ImplicationLocal infiltration analgesia is the preferred method for postoperative pain management following THA compared to single-shot femoral nerve block.© 2017 Scandinavian Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

BackgroundPostoperative inflammation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) can lead to delayed mobilization and return of hip function. Our primary aim was to assess whether local infiltration analgesia (LIA) during surgery can prevent postoperative inflammation.MethodsThis is a sub-analysis of data from a broader double-blind study where 56 patients received spinal anaesthesia for THA. Additionally, Group FNB (Femoral Nerve Block) received an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block using 30 mL of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/mL (225 mg), and 151.5 mL of saline peri-articularly intra-operatively. Group LIA received 30 mL saline in the femoral nerve block and ropivacaine 2 mg/mL, 300 mg (150 mL) + ketorolac 30 mg (1 mL) + adrenaline 0.5 mg (0.5 mL) peri-articularly. After 23 h, the LIA mixture (22 mL) was injected via a catheter placed peri-articularly in Group LIA and 22 mL saline in Group FNB. A battery of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines was assessed using a commercially available kit preoperatively and after 4 h and 3 days postoperatively. Additionally, CRP, platelet count and white blood count was determined pre- and postoperatively.ResultsThere was a general trend towards an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines postoperatively, which returned to normal levels after 3 days. IL-6 concentration was significantly lower 4 h postoperatively in Group LIA compared to Group FNB (p = 0.015). No other significant differences were found between the groups in other cytokines. CRP levels were significantly higher in Group FNB compared to Group LIA 3 days postoperatively (p < 0.001). No other significant differences were seen between the groups.ConclusionLocal infiltration analgesia has a modest but short-lasting effect on postoperative inflammation in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. This is likely to be due to local infiltration of ketorolac and/or local anaesthetics in the LIA mixture. Future studies should be directed towards assessing whether the use of LIA translates into better patient outcomes.Trial registrationEudraCT Number 2012-003875-20. Registered 3 December 2012

PurposeLocal infiltration analgesia (LIA) is commonly used for postoperative pain management following total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, the long-term effects of the component drugs are unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate functional outcome, quality of life, chronic post-surgical pain, and adverse events in patients within 2 years of undergoing THA.MethodsThe study was a secondary analysis of data from a previous larger study. Eighty patients were randomized to receive either intrathecal morphine (Group ITM) or local infiltration analgesia (Group LIA) for pain management in a double-blind study. The parameters measured were patient-assessed functional outcome [using the Hip dysfunction and Osteo-arthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) questionnaire], health-related quality of life [using the European Quality of Life–5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score], and pain using the numeric rating score (NRS), with persistent post-surgical pain having a NRS of > 3 or a HOOS pain sub-score of > 30. All complications and adverse events were investigated during the first 2 years after primary surgery.ResultsPain intensity and rescue analgesic consumption were similar between the groups after hospital discharge. No differences were found in HOOS or SF-36 score between the groups up to 6 months after surgery. A significant group × time interaction was seen in the EQ 5D form in favor of the LIA group. No between-group difference in persistent post-surgical pain was found at 3 or 6 months, or in adverse events up to 2 years after surgery.ConclusionAnalysis of functional outcome, quality of life, and post-discharge surgical pain did not reveal significant differences between patients receiving LIA and those receiving ITM. LIA was found to be a safe technique for THA during the long-term follow-up. However, it should be noted that these conclusions are based on a limited number of patients.

We understand, as the authors mentioned, that some researchers advocate the use of bilateral paravertebral blocks in this type of surgery because this approach might provide better pain relief. On the other hand, we concur that execution of a TAP block does not require advanced skills and accordingly would be the better choice.Elkassabany et al have conducted a well-designed study that serves as a gateway for further research into providing analgesia for open RRP. Continued investigation is necessary in order to determine the best multimodal approach to postoperative analgesia.