Periarticular Infiltration of Local Anesthetics Versus Pericapsular Nerve Group Block for Total Hip Replacement

Periarticular Infiltration of Local Anesthetics Versus Pericapsular Nerve Group Block for Total Hip Replacement

A Randomized Comparison Between Periarticular Infiltration of Local Anesthetics and Ultrasound-Guided Pericapsular Nerve Group Block for Total Hip Replacement

This randomized trial is set out to compare the postoperative strength preservation capacity of local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) and pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block after performing a primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The hypothesis is that LIA represents a superior alternative to PENG block in terms of strength preservation but providing effective analgesia during the first 24 postoperative hours after THA. Hence, the trial was designed as a superiority study hypothesizing a fivefold reduction in quadriceps paresis/paralysis at 3 hours.

Patients who agree to participate in the protocol will be assigned to one group or another (LIA and PENG) through computationally generated block randomization. Outcome assessors blinded to randomization will perform all measurements. All blocks, LIA or PENG, will be performed (or supervised) by one of the co-authors, an expert orthopedic surgeon or an expert anesthesiologist, respectively. Both blocks 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).

Twenty milliliters of bupivacaine 0.5% (100 milligrams) with epinephrine 5 ug/mL will be deposited in the anterior aspect of the iliac bone between its periosteum and the tendon of the iliopsoas muscle. Additionally, ketorolac 30 mg will be administered intravenously.

Sixty milliliters of 0.25% bupivacaine (150 milligrams), 5ug/mL epinephrine, and ketorolac 30 mg will be deposited 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.

After the ultrasound-guided insertion of a block needle at the level of the inguinal ligament, the needle will be advance into the plane between the iliac bone periosteum and the tendon of the iliopsoas muscle in order to inject 20 mL of adrenalized 0.5% bupivacaine.

Intraoperatively, 60 mL of adrenalized 0.25% bupivacaine plus ketorolac 30 mg will be infiltrated by the surgeon.

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 first postoperative day secondary to decreased strength in the operated limb.

Number of participants that cannot end the physiotherapy protocol programmed for the second postoperative day 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 first postoperative day secondary to pain in the operated limb.

Number of participants that cannot end the physiotherapy protocol programmed for the second postoperative day secondary to pain in the operated limb.

Inclusion Criteria: Age between 18 and 80 years 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 ≥ 01.4 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 of the corresponding surgical side Previous hip arthroplasty due to hip fracture Chronic pain syndromes requiring opioid intake at home

Kurtz S, Ong K, Lau E, Mowat F, Halpern M. Projections of primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty in the United States from 2005 to 2030. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007 Apr;89(4):780-5. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.F.00222.

Wainwright TW, Gill M, McDonald DA, Middleton RG, Reed M, Sahota O, Yates P, Ljungqvist O. Consensus statement for perioperative care in total hip replacement and total knee replacement surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS(R)) Society recommendations. Acta Orthop. 2020 Feb;91(1):3-19. doi: 10.1080/17453674.2019.1683790. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Kuchalik J, Magnuson A, Lundin A, Gupta A. Local infiltration analgesia or femoral nerve block for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. A randomized, double-blind study. Scand J Pain. 2017 Jul;16:223-230. doi: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2017.05.002. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

Layera S, Saadawi M, Tran Q, Salinas FV. Motor-Sparing Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Shoulder, Knee, and Hip Surgery. Adv Anesth. 2020 Dec;38:189-207. doi: 10.1016/j.aan.2020.08.003. Epub 2020 Oct 1. No abstract available.

Husted C, Gromov K, Hansen HK, Troelsen A, Kristensen BB, Husted H. Outpatient total hip or knee arthroplasty in ambulatory surgery center versus arthroplasty ward: a randomized controlled trial. Acta Orthop. 2020 Feb;91(1):42-47. doi: 10.1080/17453674.2019.1686205. Epub 2019 Nov 4.

Bravo D, Layera S, Aliste J, Jara A, Fernandez D, Barrientos C, Wulf R, Munoz G, Finlayson RJ, Tran Q. Lumbar plexus block versus suprainguinal fascia iliaca block for total hip arthroplasty: A single-blinded, randomized trial. J Clin Anesth. 2020 Nov;66:109907. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2020.109907. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Giron-Arango L, Peng PWH, Chin KJ, Brull R, Perlas A. Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block for Hip Fracture. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2018 Nov;43(8):859-863. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000847.

Aliste J, Layera S, Bravo D, Jara A, Munoz G, Barrientos C, Wulf R, Branez J, Finlayson RJ, Tran Q. Randomized comparison between pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and suprainguinal fascia iliaca block for total hip arthroplasty. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2021 Oct;46(10):874-878. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2021-102997. Epub 2021 Jul 20.

Murphy TP, Byrne DP, Curtin P, Baker JF, Mulhall KJ. Can a periarticular levobupivacaine injection reduce postoperative opiate consumption during primary hip arthroplasty? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2012 Apr;470(4):1151-7. doi: 10.1007/s11999-011-2108-3. Epub 2011 Sep 30.