Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block For Analgesia After Total Hip Arthroplasty
Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block For Analgesia After Total Hip Arthroplasty
Introduction Fascia Iliaca compartment block (FICB) is commonly used to treat pain in
 patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA) despite the lack of RCTs to evaluate the efficacy
 of FICB for this indication. Therefore the objective of this study was to assess the
 analgesic benefit of FICB for post-operative pain management in THA.

 Methods After IRB approval and informed consent, patients having THA at our center in the
 period 2010-2011 were recruited. Eligible patients were adults, ASA physical status I-III,
 and BMI <30) with no contraindication to study procedures. In the PACU, all patients received
 morphine sulfate IVPCA; patients reporting pain > 3 on the NRS-11 despite IVPCA were
 randomized by the method of sealed envelopes to receive US guided injections of 30ml 0.5%
 ropivacaine (FICB) or 30ml 0.9% NaCl (sham block, SB) beneath the fascia iliaca.

 The primary outcome variable was opioid analgesic consumption during the first 24 h
 postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures were pain intensity (NRS-11) and extent of
 sensory blockade.
Introduction Fascia Iliaca compartment block (FICB) is commonly used to treat pain in
 patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA) despite the lack of RCTs to evaluate the efficacy
 of FICB for this indication. Therefore the objective of this randomized, prospective trial
 was to assess the analgesic benefit of FICB for post-operative pain management in THA. Our
 hypothesis was that FICB would confer an analgesic benefit for patients after THA.

 Methods After IRB approval and informed consent, patients having THA at our center in the
 period 2010-2011 were recruited in the morning of their surgery. Eligible patients were
 adults, ASA physical status I-III, and BMI <30) with no contraindication to study procedures.
 In the PACU, all patients received morphine sulfate IVPCA; patients reporting pain > 3 on the
 NRS-11 despite IVPCA were randomized by the method of sealed envelopes to receive US guided
 injections of 30ml 0.5% ropivacaine (FICB) or 30ml 0.9% NaCl (sham block, SB) beneath the
 fascia iliaca.

 The primary outcome variable was opioid analgesic consumption during the first 24 h
 postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures were pain intensity (NRS-11) and extent of
 sensory blockade.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Adults

 -  ASA physical status I-III

 -  BMI<30

 -  No contraindications to study procedures

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Pediatric patients

 -  ASA physical status IV

 -  BMI>30

 -  Contraindications to study procedures

 -  Hypersensitivity to local anesthetics