Femoral block vs. aductor channel block for postoperative analgesia in knee surgery

Abstract

Knee surgery may be associated with pain of moderate to severe intensity in the postoperative period, which is why the main purpose of pain control is to increase comfort, minimize complications and optimize recovery, being the femoral and channel blockage of the adductors options currently used. Objective: to compare the femoral and adductor canal block for postoperative analgesia in knee surgery. Methods: experimental, comparative, prospective, randomized study. A sample of 40 patients aged over 18 years, ASA I-III, divided into two groups (A or B) was taken. Group A received femoral block and B the adductor canal block. The mixture consisted of 10 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and 10 ml of 0.5% lidocaine. Results: the intensity of pain varied between mild-moderate, predominant in group A. Only 9 patients merited rescue analgesia 67% in group A and 33% in group B. Motor block was reported in group A. The duration of analgesia was 12 to 24 hours (A), and less than 12 hours (B). 80% expressed satisfaction with the analgesic technique. A complication of postoperative delirium was reported. Conclusion: both techniques provided similar benefits and can be considered good and safe in multimodal pain management, however, adductor canal blockade has been shown to accelerate mobilization and facilitate patient rehabilitation.