Ultrasound-guided Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block Versus Periarticular Infiltration for Pain Management After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Despite substantial advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of pain and availability of newer analgesic techniques, postoperative pain is not always effectively treated. Optimal pain management technique balances pain relief with concerns about safety and adverse effects associated with analgesic techniques. Currently, postoperative pain is commonly treated with systemic opioids, which are associated with numerous adverse effects including nausea and vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, pruritus, urinary retention, and respiratory depression. Use of regional and local anesthesia has been shown to reduce opioid requirements and opioid-related side effects.

Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) (n=60) at Parkland and UT Southwestern Medical Center Hospitals will be randomized into one of two groups to receive either ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) with ropivacaine 300 mg and 0.5 mg epinephrine (Group 1) or periarticular infiltration ropivacaine 300 mg and 0.5 mg epinephrine total (Group 2) for postoperative pain management. The remaining aspect of perioperative care, including the anesthetic technique (i.e., spinal anesthetic), pre- and postoperative care will be standardized and will be similar for all patients. The duration of the involvement in the study will be until 48 hours postoperatively.

Patients in Group 1 will receive ultrasound-guided FICB after surgery. Patients in Group 2 will receive ropivacaine via periarticular infiltration prior to closing the incision.

The postoperative analgesia will be documented using the visual analog score (0=no pain, 10=worst pain). In addition, total opioid dose over the 48-h study period will be documented. Postoperative nausea will be measured using a categorical scoring system (none=0, mild=1, moderate=2, severe=3) and episodes of vomiting will be documented. Rescue antiemetics will be given to any patient who complains of nausea and/or vomiting. All variables will be assessed at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, postoperatively by an investigator blinded to group allocation.