Extended femoral nerve sheath block after total hip arthroplasty: continuous versus patient-controlled techniques

We assessed the efficacy of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) techniques for extended femoral nerve sheath block after total hip arthroplasty. Forty-five patients were divided into three groups of 15. Over 48 h, all patients received 0.125% bupivacaine with clonidine 1 microg/mL and sufentanil 0.1 microg/mL via a femoral nerve sheath catheter as a continuous infusion at 10 mL/h in Group 1, as PCA boluses only of 10 mL/h in Group 2, or as PCA boluses of 5 mL per 30 min in Group 3. Pain scores, sensory block, supplemental analgesia, bupivacaine consumption, side effects, and satisfaction scores were recorded. Pain scores at rest and supplemental analgesia were comparable in the three groups. At 48 h, pain relief on movement was significantly better in Group 3 than in Group 1 (P = 0.01). Bupivacaine consumption was significantly less in Groups 2 and 3 than in Group 1 (P < 0.001). Side effects were comparable in the three groups. Satisfaction scores were significantly higher in Group 3 than in the other groups (P < 0.01). We conclude that, to maintain extended femoral nerve sheath block after total hip arthroplasty, PCA techniques reduce the local anesthetic consumption without compromise in patient satisfaction or visual analog scale scores. Of the two PCA techniques tested, PCA boluses (5 mL per 30 min) of 0.125% bupivacaine with clonidine 1 microg/mL and sufentanil 0.1 microg/mL are associated with the smallest local anesthetic consumption and the most patient satisfaction.     

Colonic pseudoobstruction associated with patient-controlled analgesia after total joint arthroplasty

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a concept that permits patients to administer a prescribed dose of narcotic to themselves when they experience pain. Six patients developed colonic pseudoobstruction after the use of morphine sulfate administered via a PCA infuser. Early recognition and prompt treatment make this a transient, reversible illness. Treatment includes discontinuing the use of the PCA morphine, eliminating oral intake, ensuring adequate hydration and electrolyte balance, placing a nasogastric tube, rolling the patient, and closely observing for signs and symptoms of worsening colonic distention and possible rupture.     

Postoperative management after total hip and knee arthroplasty

Despite major advances in the field of total joint arthroplasty, a standardized postoperative management protocol currently does not exist following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A survey was mailed to the active members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons to investigate issues such as postoperative rehabilitation and activity restriction. The information derived from this survey provides the total joint surgeon with a compilation and consensus of responses that can serve as the foundation for a standardized postoperative protocol for THA and TKA surgery.     

Patient versus surgeon satisfaction after total hip arthroplasty

We compared patient satisfaction with surgeon satisfaction after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in a group of 193 patients (200 THAs, mean follow-up six years) using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and two objective and two subjective scoring systems. We also determined the survival rate with different endpoints. For the 121 hips available for clinical follow-up, we did not find a significant difference in satisfaction between patient and surgeon. In a subgroup with low patient satisfaction, the surgeon was more satisfied than the patient (p = 0.04). The correlation between the patient satisfaction VAS and the different subjective and objective scoring systems suggests that pain during activity is the most important factor for the patient. The survivorship at six years decreased from 96.6% to 83.7% if dissatisfaction (VAS > 20) was added to revision as an endpoint in the survival analysis. The patient satisfaction VAS provides additional information to evaluate the outcome of THA. We recommend the use of both subjective and objective scoring systems to evaluate the outcome of THA.     

Patient-controlled epidural analgesia versus continuous epidural analgesia after total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: Patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) has been found to be an effective method for pain relief during labour and after surgery. The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of bupivacaine-fentanyl PCEA and continuous epidural infusion with the same mixture for treatment of pain after total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Fifty-four patients under spinal anaesthesia were allocated to two groups in this randomized, double-blind study: the PCEA group could demand a bolus of 0.05 ml/kg of the bupivacaine 1.1 mg/ml and fentanyl 5 microg/ml solution, with a lockout interval of 10 min and total dose limit of three bolus doses per hour. The EPI group received a continuous infusion of 0.1 ml kg(-1) h(-1) of the same bupivacaine-fentanyl solution, and only a minimal extra bolus dose of 0.2 ml with the same lockout interval. All the patients received also paracetamol 1 g, orally, three times a day. In addition to pain scores at rest and during leg lifting, the 20-h analgesic consumption and the incidence of side effects were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients completed the study. The bupivacaine and fentanyl consumption during 20 h was smaller in the PCEA group (P<0.001). Analgesia and the need for rescue-opioid medication were similar in both groups. There were no differences between the PCEA and EPI groups regarding the incidence of side effects. Five patients were confused about how to operate the PCEA apparatus. CONCLUSION: The amount of bupivacaine-fentanyl solution consumed was significantly less with PCEA than with continuous infusion of bupivacaine-fentanyl solution without affecting the quality of postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty. Several of the elderly patients had difficulties in operating the PCEA apparatus.     

Postoperative rehabilitation inprimary total hip arthroplasty

Rehabilitation after primary total hip arthroplasty should start with a preoperative education and physical therapy session. This can facilitate early progression to functional independence.Transfers in and out of bed are initially carried out with the assistance of a physical therapist or surgical nurse. The patient should get out of bed on the operative side to minimize hip adduction. Dislocation precautions are emphasized during transfers.The hips should be maintained slightly higher than the knees at all times, which requires that bed and chair heights be adjusted for each patient.assistance devices, such as a reacher, sock aid, dressing stick, long shoe horn, and leg lifter, allow the patient to become independent in activities of daily living while avoiding excessive hip flexion and rotation.Early full weight bearing is permitted if both the acetabular and femoral components are cemented.When the femoral component is uncemented, protected weight bearing for 6 weeks is appropriate to permit the bone-implant interface to stabilize with biological tissue. after sufficient abductor strength has returned that limp is minimal, ambulatory support can be discontinued. a long-term exercise program, which avoids impact loading of the hip, should be encouraged to maintain cardiovascular fitness and health.     

同期与分期双侧全髋置换术临床比较分析

目的 比较同期与分期双侧全髋置换术围手术期安全性及相关临床指标.方法 同期双侧全髋置换术(THA Ⅰ组)74例(148髋),分期双侧全髋置换术(THA Ⅱ组)54例(108髋),比较两组术前合并症、术后并发症、手术时间、总失血量、输血量、手术前后Harris评分、血红蛋白、血细胞比容、住院天数、总费用等临床指标.结果 两组性别、年龄、术前合并症、手术前后Harris评分、血红蛋白、血细胞比容比较差异均无显著性(P＞0.05).THA Ⅰ组平均手术时间(135.7±33.0)min、总失血量(1 378.6±571.7)ml、输血量(575.8±582.6)ml,THAⅡ组平均手术时间(161±46.1)min、总失血量(1 589.5±628.0)ml、输血量(544.6±582.6)ml,两组差异无显著性(P＞0.05).THA Ⅰ组平均住院天数(15.7±4.1)d、总费用(69 603±27 054.7)元,THAⅡ组平均住院天数(29.2±10.8)d、总费用(107 169±51 697.1)元,两组差异有显著性(P＜0.01).THA Ⅰ组冲经系统并发症(P=0.017)、心血管系统并发症(P=0.012)发生率比THA Ⅱ组高,差异具有显著性;其他系统并发症差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论 同期双侧髋关节置换术是安全有效的手术方案,并且能够降低住院天数、减少住院费用.     

Peripheral nerve blocks for analgesia after elective total hip arthroplasty

A significant subgroup of patients suffer from moderate or severe pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Regional analgesia has the potential to reduce post-operative pain and thereby spare patients from opioids, but regional analgesia of the hip is complicated as the area is innervated by multiple nerves. However, the nociceptors of the hip joint are primarily innervated by the obturator and femoral nerves. The effect of an obturator nerve block (ONB) on pain following THA has never been investigated. A femoral nerve block is known to reduce pain after THA, but is unfortunately accompanied by an increased risk of fall. We have developed a novel nerve block—the iliopsoas plane block (IPB)—that has the potential to anaesthetize the hip articular sensory branches of the femoral nerve without causing motor blockade.     

Remifentanil versus fentanyl for intravenous patient-controlled labour analgesia: an observational study

Purpose

We undertook a retrospective study to compare the analgesic efficacy and effects on neonatal outcome of administering either remifentanil or fentanyl intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA) during labour.

Methods

A five-year retrospective cohort study was undertaken of women with more than 24?weeks of gestation who had received either IVPCA remifentanil or fentanyl for labour analgesia at Mount Sinai Hospital. The sampling timeframe was from November 2005 to March 2010. The standard IVPCA regimen for the remifentanil group consisted of a PCA bolus 0.25???g·kg^?1 with a lockout interval of two minutes, a four-hour limit of 3?mg, and a background infusion of 0.025-0.05 ??g·kg^?1·min^?1, whereas the standard IVPCA regimen for the fentanyl group consisted of a PCA bolus 25-50 ??g with a lockout interval of three to six minutes and a four-hour limit of 1-1.5?mg. The following data were compared: maternal hourly pain scores (verbal pain score scale 0-10), sedation scores (scale 0-3), adverse effects, and neonatal outcomes. Mixed linear modelling was used to analyze longitudinal data on pain scores over time. The exact Wilcoxon test and the Fisher??s exact test were used for other comparisons.

Results

Ninety-eight women were studied. There was no significant difference in the model-adjusted pain scores between the two groups (P?=?0.86). There was a moderate decrease in pain scores in both groups compared with the baseline values. There was no difference in maternal side effects between the two groups, although transient oxygen desaturation was observed more frequently in the remifentanil group than in the fentanyl group (13% vs 2%, respectively; odds ratio, 7.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85 to 63.3). A larger number of neonates in the fentanyl group required resuscitation compared with neonates in the remifentanil group (59% vs 25%, respectively; odds ratio, 4.33; 95% CI, 1.75 to 10.76); adjusted (44% vs 8%, respectively; odds ratio, 8.56; 95% CI, 2.17 to 33.77).

Conclusions

Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with either remifentanil or fentanyl provides a moderate degree of labour analgesia, whereas transient maternal oxygen desaturation is observed more commonly with remifentanil. Fentanyl is associated with a higher need for neonatal resuscitation.     

Postoperative analgesia by combined continuous infusion and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) following hip replacement: ropivacaine versus bupivacaine

BACKGROUND: Ropivacaine is a new local anaesthetic, which compared to bupivacaine is less toxic and shows greater sensory and motor block dissociation. We hypothesised that treatment of postoperative pain with a combined regimen of continuous epidural infusion and Patient-Controlled Epidural Analgesia (PCEA) using ropivacaine could have given better results compared with those we had obtained using bupivacaine. METHODS: Patients undergoing total hip replacement were randomly assigned to two groups. They received epidural analgesia for postoperative pain treatment using ropivacaine, 2 mg x ml(-1) or bupivacaine 2 mg x ml(-1). Both drugs were administered as a constant infusion of 6 ml x h(-1) supplemented by PCEA bolus doses of 2 ml. Patients in both groups received morphine intravenously on demand from a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. An independent observer recorded pain scores, intensity of motor block and morphine consumption at regular intervals during the first 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were evaluated. Ropivacaine and bupivacaine, in similar amounts, provided similar results assessed as adequate to very good postoperative analgesia, whereas motor block was significantly more intense in patients treated with bupivacaine. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar analgesic effects, epidural infusion of ropivacaine combined with PCEA provides higher patient satisfaction than equal doses of bupivacaine due to lack of motor block.     

Extended "three-in-one" block after total knee arthroplasty: continuous versus patient-controlled techniques

This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study assessed the efficacy of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) techniques for extended "3-in-1" block after total knee arthroplasty. A total of 45 patients were divided into three groups of 15. Over 48 h, all patients received 0.125% bupivacaine with 1 microg/mL clonidine via a femoral nerve sheath catheter in the following manner: as a continuous infusion at 10 mL/h in Group 1; as a continuous infusion at 5 mL/h plus PCA boluses (2.5 mL/30 min) in Group 2; or as PCA boluses only (10 mL/60 min) in Group 3. Pain scores, sensory block, supplemental analgesia, bupivacaine consumption, side effects, and satisfaction scores were recorded. Pain scores and supplemental analgesia were comparable in the three groups. Bupivacaine consumption was significantly less in Groups 2 and 3 than in Group 1 (P < 0.01), and in Group 3 than in Group 2 (P < 0.01). Side effects and satisfaction were comparable in the three groups. We conclude that extended "3-in-1" block provides efficient pain relief after total knee arthroplasty and that, compared with a continuous infusion, PCA techniques reduce the local anesthetic consumption without compromise in patient satisfaction or visual analog scale scores. Of the two PCA techniques tested, PCA boluses (10-mL lockout; time, 60 min) of 0.125% bupivacaine with 1 microg/mL clonidine was associated with the smallest local anesthetic consumption, and is, therefore, the recommended extended "3-in-1" block technique. IMPLICATIONS: We demonstrated that, after total knee arthroplasty, an extended "3-in-1" block consisting of patient-controlled analgesia boluses (10 mL/60 min) of 0.125% bupivacaine with 1 microg/mL clonidine provides efficient postoperative analgesia and significantly minimizes local anesthetic consumption.     

改良自控式镇痛泵的使用方法对全髋关节置换术后镇痛效果的影响

目的 探讨全髋关节置换术后使用自控式镇痛泵(patient-controlled analgesia,PCA)的患者引入超前镇痛的观念,超前定时预防性加注镇痛泵药物镇痛效果.方法 将2014年1~12月我科收治的113例全髋关节置换术后使用PCA的患者按数字表法随机分为两组:对照组58例,术后常规使用PCA;改良组55例,术后由责任护士对患者实施全程一对一宣教及护理,全面负责PCA操作过程,并从手术结束后6 h起,每间隔1.5 h由责任护士给予按压加注按钮超前镇痛,严密观察并比较镇痛效果和不良反应.结果 改良组在术后12 h、18 h和24 h疼痛评分明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);两组术后在恶心呕吐、尿潴留、呼吸抑制、血压下降等不良反应方面比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05).结论 全髋关节置换术后使用PCA患者,定时预防性加注镇痛泵药物,镇痛效果确切.     

全髋表面置换术和传统全髋置换术术后生物力学结构恢复的比较研究

目的比较全髋表面置换术（HRA）和传统全髋置换术（THA）后的下肢长度、股骨偏心距和髋臼偏心距等恢复的情况,确定HRA是否更有利于恢复髋关节的生物力学结构。方法选择单侧施行HRA或THA的股骨头坏死患者各20例（对侧髋关节均健康）。术前、术后摄等比例X线正位片,测量患者双髋的下肢长度、股骨偏心距和髋臼偏心距指标,与对侧髋比较患髋术后的改变。将HRA和THA术后改变的结果进行比较。结果 HRA组各项生物力学参数差值恢复明显比THA组更接近正常。术后HRA组和THA组患侧和健侧比较下肢长度差分别为（-2.1±1.1）mm和（3.5±2.6）mm（P〈0.05）,HRA组为轻度短缩而THA组为轻度延长;股骨偏心距差分别为（-1.8±1.4）mm和（3.1±1.9）mm（P〈0.05）,HRA组股骨偏心距降低,而THA组偏心距增加;髋臼偏心距分别为（1.6±1.8）mm和（-2.3±2.1）mm（P〈0.05）,THA组髋臼偏心距增加较大。结论 HRA可以更加精确地恢复股骨近端解剖结构,大直径股骨头假体增加了髋关节的稳定性,避免了THA容易导致的下肢延长和偏心距增加,有利于改善软组织张力。但HRA还是有轻度缩短下肢长度和股骨偏心距的倾向。