The Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Fascia Iliaca Plane Block after Hip Arthroplasty

Hip fractures are a persistent health problem especially post-operative with morbidity disability and mortality. The fascia iliaca nerve block (also called the fascia iliaca compartment nerve block) is considered an alternative to a femoral nerve or a lumbar plexus nerve block.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca plane block after hip arthroplasty.

The Primary Outcome: average postoperative VAS pain scores.

Secondary Outcome: Time to first analgesic request; Postoperative analgesic consumption; Overall patient satisfaction with analgesia; Any adverse effects e.g., nausea, vomiting, pruritus, or urinary retention.

Patients and Methods: This Prospective randomized double-blinded clinical trial will be carried out in Tanta University Hospital in Orthopedic Surgery Department. The study included 60 adult patients aged > 25 years; ASA class I & II scheduled for total hip arthroplasty surgery.

Results: As regards, the first analgesic requirement of analgesic there were significant statistical increases in group I compared to group II. also, there were statistically significant decreases in total consumption of both paracetamol and pethidine in the group, however, There were significant statistical decreases in total pethidine consumption (mg) in group I compared to group II

Conclusion: FICB is safe and effective in improving postoperative pain after hip arthroplasty. It provides lower NRS, more hemodynamic stability, a longer time for 1st time of analgesics requirement ad a lower amount of total analgesic consumption within 1st 24 hours.