Total Periarticular Infiltration Vs Posterior Periarticular Infiltration Plus PENG Block for Hip Analgesia

Total Periarticular Infiltration Vs Posterior Periarticular Infiltration Plus PENG Block for Hip Analgesia

A Randomized Comparison Between Total Periarticular Anesthetic Infiltration and Partial Posterior Periarticular Anesthetic Infiltration Plus Low Volume Ultrasound-Guided Pericapsular Nerve Group Block for Total Hip Replacement Analgesia

In a recent study, direct periarticular local anesthetic infiltration (PAI) showed a greater incidence of early quadriceps weakness (33% at 3 hours and 13% at 6 hours) than pericapsular nerve group block (PENGB) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) but, in turn, demonstrated a statistically significant better pain control. Additionally, PENGB could not completely circumvent motor compromise either, particularly at 3 hours (20% incidence), probably secondary to an injectate migration towards the femoral nerve. Posteriorly to this publication, a cadaveric trial looking into the maximum effective volume that spared the femoral nerve resulted in 13.2 mL. This newer evidence led to the design of a strategy that combines both interventions, aiming to obtain the best of them and have a solid alternative for those cases where very early mobilization is pursued. Thus, it is hypothesized that posterior PAI added to a low-volume PENGB (10mL) represents a superior alternative to PAI in terms of strength preservation and provides effective analgesia during the first 24 postoperative hours after THA.

Patients who agree to participate in the protocol will be assigned to one group or another (PAI or posterior PAI+PENGB) through computationally generated block randomization. Outcome assessors blinded to randomization will perform all measurements. All trial interventions (PAI or posterior PAI+PENGB) will be performed (or supervised) by one of the co-authors, an expert orthopedic surgeon anesthesiologist. Both interventions will be executed in the operating room, on the surgical table, under sedation, and with the barrier that separates the surgical field from the cranial area of the patient to keep the latter blind to the technique received. All patients will undergo spinal anesthesia using 0.5% bupivacaine (10mg) plus 20 μg of fentanyl. Both groups will also receive tranexamic acid 1g intravenous (IV), ketoprofen 100mg IV, and acetaminophen 1gr IV. Propofol sedation guided with a targeted controlled infusion (TCI) model will be administered in order to obtain an adequate level of sedation. All surgeries will be conducted by the same team of surgeons, performing a posterior approach technique in the lateral decubitus position. In the recovery room, all patients will receive patient-controlled analgesia (morphine bolus = 1 mg; lockout interval = 8 minutes). On the surgical ward, all subjects will continue to receive acetaminophen (1 g per os every 6 hours), ketoprofen (100 mg per os every 8 hours) as well and patient-controlled analgesia (morphine bolus = 1 mg IV; lockout interval = 8 minutes).

60 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with 5ug/mL epinephrine will be deposited under direct vision during surgery at the periarticular level before wound closure.

45 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with 5ug/mL epinephrine will be deposited under direct vision during surgery at the posterior periarticular level before wound closure. After wound closure, an ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group block of the hip will be performed using ten mL of 0.5% bupivacaine with 5ug/mL epinephrine.

Sixty milliliters of 0.25% bupivacaine + 5ug/mL epinephrine and ketorolac 30 mg will be deposited by the orthopedic surgeon at the periarticular level under direct vision during surgery. Fascia, subcutaneous tissues, and skin will also be infiltrated with part of the solution before wound closure.

From a total of forty-five milliliters of 0.25% bupivacaine + 5ug/mL epinephrine and ketorolac 30 mg, 15mL will be deposited by the orthopedic surgeon at the posterior periarticular level under direct vision during surgery. Fascia, subcutaneous tissues, and skin will also be infiltrated with part of the solution before wound closure with the remaining 30mL. After wound closure, an ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group block will be performed by an anesthesiologist by injecting 10mL of 0.5% bupivacaine + 5ug/mL epinephrine in the plane between the iliac bone periosteum and the tendon of the iliopsoas muscle.

Quadriceps motor function will be tested with the patient lying on the bed and with the hip joint at 45º and the knee at 90º. The subject will be asked to extend the knee, first against gravity and then against resistance. Quadriceps strength will be graded according to a 3-point scale: normal strength = 0 point (extension against resistance); paresis = 1 point (extension against gravity but not against resistance); and paralysis = 2 points (no extension).

Quadriceps motor function will be tested with the patient lying on the bed and with the hip joint at 45º and the knee at 90º. The subject will be asked to extend the knee, first against gravity and then against resistance. Quadriceps strength will be graded according to a 3-point scale: normal strength = 0 point (extension against resistance); paresis = 1 point (extension against gravity but not against resistance); and paralysis = 2 points (no extension).

Quadriceps motor function will be tested with the patient lying on the bed and with the hip joint at 45º and the knee at 90º. The subject will be asked to extend the knee, first against gravity and then against resistance. Quadriceps strength will be graded according to a 3-point scale: normal strength = 0 point (extension against resistance); paresis = 1 point (extension against gravity but not against resistance); and paralysis = 2 points (no extension).

Hip adduction will be evaluated by comparing it to baseline strength (i.e., prior to spinal anesthesia). A blood pressure cuff, inflated at 40 mmHg, will be inserted between the knees of the patient: the latter will then be instructed to squeeze the cuff as hard as possible and to sustain the effort. We will define hip adduction scores of 0, 1, and 2 points as decreases in strength of 0-20% (normal strength), 21-70% (paresis), and 71-90% (paralysis) compared to the baseline measurement, respectively.

Hip adduction will be evaluated by comparing it to baseline strength (i.e., prior to spinal anesthesia). A blood pressure cuff, inflated at 40 mmHg, will be inserted between the knees of the patient: the latter will then be instructed to squeeze the cuff as hard as possible and to sustain the effort. We will define hip adduction scores of 0, 1, and 2 points as decreases in strength of 0-20% (normal strength), 21-70% (paresis), and 71-90% (paralysis) compared to the baseline measurement, respectively.

Hip adduction will be evaluated by comparing it to baseline strength (i.e., prior to spinal anesthesia). A blood pressure cuff, inflated at 40 mmHg, will be inserted between the knees of the patient: the latter will then be instructed to squeeze the cuff as hard as possible and to sustain the effort. We will define hip adduction scores of 0, 1, and 2 points as decreases in strength of 0-20% (normal strength), 21-70% (paresis), and 71-90% (paralysis) compared to the baseline measurement, respectively.

Pain intensity at rest and during active movement (hip adduction) using a numeric rating score (NRS) ranged from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain).

Pain intensity at rest and during active movement (hip adduction) using a numeric rating score (NRS) ranged from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain).

Pain intensity at rest and during active movement (hip adduction) using a numeric rating score (NRS) ranged from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain).

Pain intensity at rest and during active movement (hip adduction) using a numeric rating score (NRS) ranged from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain).

Pain intensity at rest and during active movement (hip adduction) using a numeric rating score (NRS) ranged from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain).

Pain intensity at rest and during active movement (hip adduction) using a numeric rating score (NRS) ranged from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain).

Sensory block in the anterior, lateral and medial aspects of the mid-thigh. For each territory, blockade will be evaluated using a 3-point scale: 0 = no block, 1 = analgesia (patient can feel touch, not cold), 2 = anesthesia (patient cannot feel touch).

Sensory block in the anterior, lateral and medial aspects of the mid-thigh. For each territory, blockade will be evaluated using a 3-point scale: 0 = no block, 1 = analgesia (patient can feel touch, not cold), 2 = anesthesia (patient cannot feel touch).

Sensory block in the anterior, lateral and medial aspects of the mid-thigh. For each territory, blockade will be evaluated using a 3-point scale: 0 = no block, 1 = analgesia (patient can feel touch, not cold), 2 = anesthesia (patient cannot feel touch).

Incidence of adverse events related to nerve block or local anesthetic infiltration (i.e. vascular puncture, local anesthetic systemic toxicity).

Number of participants that cannot end the physiotherapy protocol programmed for the sixth hour after PACU arrival secondary to decreased strength in the operated limb.

Number of participants that cannot end the physiotherapy protocol programmed for the sixth hour after PACU arrival secondary to decreased strength in the operated limb.

Number of participants that cannot end the physiotherapy protocol programmed for the sixth hour after PACU arrival secondary to decreased strength in the operated limb.

Number of participants that cannot end the physiotherapy protocol programmed for the sixth hour after PACU arrival secondary to pain in the operated limb.

Number of participants that cannot end the physiotherapy protocol programmed for the sixth hour after PACU arrival secondary to pain in the operated limb.

Number of participants that cannot end the physiotherapy protocol programmed for the sixth hour after PACU arrival secondary to pain in the operated limb.

Inclusion Criteria: American Society of Anesthesiologists classification 1-3 Body mass index between 20 and 35 (kg/m2) Exclusion Criteria: Adults who are unable to give their own consent Pre-existing neuropathy (assessed by history and physical examination) Coagulopathy (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work-up i.e. platelets ≤ 100, International Normalized Ratio ≥ 1.4 or prothrombin time ≥ 50) Renal failure (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work-up i.e. creatinine ≥ 100) Hepatic failure (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work-up i.e. transaminases ≥ 100) Allergy to local anesthetics (LAs) or morphine Pregnancy Prior surgery in the inguinal area corresponding surgical side Chronic pain syndromes requiring opioid intake at home

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