A Comparative Study between Fascia Iliaca Block and Femoral Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia after Intertrochanteric Fracture Surgery

Abstract Background Intertrochanteric fracture surgery is a common orthopedic procedure worldwide, pain may be severe, and the patients generally require a significant amount of opioid-based analgesics after such procedures. Peripheral nerve blocks offer effective analgesia and decrease the need for opioids, thereby reducing the complications associated with the use of this class of drug. Pain management regimens following Intertrochanteric fracture surgery include oral analgesics, periarticular injection, peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs), and intravenous patient- controlled analgesia (PCA). Objective To compare the analgesic efficacy and functional recovery of Fascia iliaca block and FNB in patients who have undergone Hip surgery. Methods This prospective randomized clinical trial study was conducted in Ain Shams University hospital after approval of the anesthesia department and the local ethics and research committee over 6 months and after obtaining a written informed consent. Sixty patients underwent Intertrochanteric fracture surgery under spinal anaesthesia regarding postoperative pain and early ambulation were included in the study their ages range between 40 to 75 years old and classified as ASA I and II. The patients were randomly divided using computer generated randomization into two groups 30 patients in each (n = 30). Results The two groups were compared as regard pain control post operatively. Numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to assess pain post operatively and used at regular interval (PACU, After 15min., After 30min., After 45min., After 1 hr., After 1.5 hrs., After 2 hrs., After 4 hrs., After 6 hrs., After 8 hrs., After 10 hrs., After 12 hrs., After 14 hrs., After 16 hrs., After 18 hrs., After 20 hrs., After 22 hrs. and After 24 hrs.). And there is no significant difference between two groups, with p- value (p 0.05 NS). As regard to total dose of narcotics used in each group, there is no difference in postoperative nalbuphine consumption. The two groups are compared as regard to quadriceps weakness, onset of ambulation and there was a significant difference between two groups. Conclusion Fascia iliaca block is more effective than Femoral Nerve Block in in patient satisfaction for post-operative analgesia and equally effective with femoral nerve block in post-operative ambulation after Intertrochanteric fracture surgery.