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.
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.