Comparison of local infiltration analgesia with single injection femoral nerve block in total knee arthroplasty

Keywords:

Knee arthroplasty ; blood loss ; local infiltration analgesia ; single injection femoral nerve block.


Published online: Apr 24 2019

Pierre-Emmanuel Schwab, JeanCyr Yombi, Patricia Lavand’homme, Emmanuel Thienpont

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic and hemostatic effects of Local Infiltration Analgesia (LIA) with single injection femoral nerve block (SFNB). A database of patients undergoing knee arthroplasty between 2008 and 2013 was analyzed. A group of patients who underwent minimally invasive TKA either with SFNB (n = 112) or with LIA (n = 112) were matched.

In the early postoperative period, the LIA group had a significantly lower VAS score, a lower drop in Hb and a lower length of hospital stay.

Both the SFNB and LIA techniques provide excellent pain relief following TKA. Nevertheless, LIA reduces pain better in the very early postoperative period by a more complete nerve blockade allowing immediate postoperative mobilization and ambulation leading to a shorter hospital stay. Furthermore, LIA decreases perioperative blood loss by its local hemostatic effect.

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About this issue

Volume 85, issue 1.

Mar 2019.

Open access journal

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