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Intraoperative Direct vs Postoperative Ultrasound Guided Adductor Canal Nerve Block After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Nerve Block
Total Knee Arthroplasty
Knee Osteoarthritis
Interventions
Procedure: Ultrasound Block
Procedure: Intraoperative Block
Procedure: Ultrasound Placebo
Procedure: Intraoperative Placebo
Registration Number
NCT03733509
Lead Sponsor
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
Brief Summary

This study compares analgesic effect between two techniques of adductor canal nerve block after total knee arthroplasty. The first group of the patients will receive intraoperative adductor canal nerve block; and the other group post operative ultrasound guided adductor canal nerve block. Investigators will measure postoperative opioid consumption, pain management and rehabilitation goals.

Detailed Description

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a successful alternative to treat late stage knee osteoarthritis (OA). Pain management has been one of the main focuses of postoperative care. Most surgeons prefer a comprehensive multimodal approach including preoperative pharmacological treatment, intraoperative infiltration with complex drug mixes and postoperative peripheral nerve block.

The most common postoperative nerve block alternative is the proximal femoral nerve block (FNB) which has shown improvements on postoperative pain measured by reduced opioid consumption and decreased pain at rest. Its main detractors argue that the motor nerve block effect is deleterious to early ambulation and have promoted adductor canal nerve blocks (ACB). Described by Lund et al in 2011, ACB block main femoral pain sensory contributors to the knee (articular branches of obturator nerve, vastus medialis branch and saphenous nerve) but is more distal to most motor branches to the quadriceps allowing near to normal quadriceps strength.

Standard ACB block is performed under ultrasound guidance after surgery completion, still in the operating room (OR). Recent literature has shown the anatomic feasibility of intraoperative ACB via blunt suprapatellar dissection in standard medial parapatellar TKA approaches. The study seeks to determine the effectiveness of standard ultrasound guidance ACB compared with intraoperative ACB.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
121
Inclusion Criteria
  • Primary total knee arthroplasty
  • Unilateral
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score I, II or III
  • Accepts spinal anesthesia
Exclusion Criteria
  • General anesthesia
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Chronic opioid use
  • Allergic to bupivacaine or similar

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intraoperative BlockUltrasound PlaceboBefore skin closure, blunt suprapatellar dissection proximal to medial femoral condyle towards adductor canal. Nerve block at this level with 20ml of Bupivacaine 0.25%. Postoperatively, mid-thigh ultrasound guided standard adductor canal nerve block with 20ml of saline solution (NaCl 0.9%).
Ultrasound BlockUltrasound BlockBefore skin closure, blunt suprapatellar dissection proximal to medial femoral condyle towards adductor canal. Nerve block at this level with 20ml of of saline solution (NaCl 0.9%). Postoperatively, mid-thigh ultrasound guided standard adductor canal nerve block with 20ml Bupivacaine 0.25%.
Ultrasound BlockIntraoperative PlaceboBefore skin closure, blunt suprapatellar dissection proximal to medial femoral condyle towards adductor canal. Nerve block at this level with 20ml of of saline solution (NaCl 0.9%). Postoperatively, mid-thigh ultrasound guided standard adductor canal nerve block with 20ml Bupivacaine 0.25%.
Intraoperative BlockIntraoperative BlockBefore skin closure, blunt suprapatellar dissection proximal to medial femoral condyle towards adductor canal. Nerve block at this level with 20ml of Bupivacaine 0.25%. Postoperatively, mid-thigh ultrasound guided standard adductor canal nerve block with 20ml of saline solution (NaCl 0.9%).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
24 hour opioid consumptionFirst 24 hours after surgery

Opioid consumption by patient controlled analgesia (PCA) and any other oral or IV analgesics

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
24 patient reported painFirst 24 hours after surgery

Patient reported pain scale using visual analog scale (VAS) every 6 hours after surgery (0 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours and 24 hours)

Time up and go Test24 hours after surgery

Standardised test to determine patients ability to walk 24 hours after surgery

Range of motion24 hours after surgery

Active and passive knee range of motion

Time to Discharge7 days

Time between surgery and patient in conditions for discharge: no IV requirements, basic walking capability and VAS pain score equal or below 3

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

🇨🇱

Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile

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