A comparative study between postoperative analgesia of suprainguinal fascia iliaca compartment block (SIFI) and lumbar erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in hip arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

Background

Suprainguinal fascia iliaca (SIFI) block offers efficient pain relief in total hip arthroplasty, although motor blockage is a common complication. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a promising technique with less motor block; in research, we evaluate the efficacy of both blocks regarding analgesia and early mobilization.

Patients and method

Fifty-six patients who underwent total hip replacement following spinal anesthesia were divided to either treated with ultrasound guided suprainguinal fascia iliaca (SIFI) block or ultrasound guided ESPB at the end of surgery. The primary measure of interest was the pethidine consumed within a 24-hour period following the surgical procedure. Subordinate outcomes were: first rescue pethidine time, pain scores, and onset of ambulation. Post-operative vomiting, nausea, and other adverse events were recorded.

Results

Fifty-six patients were involved in the study. No significant statistical variances were found in pethidine consumed at 24 hours (p = 0.122) or pain scores and rescue analgesia timing (p = 0.075). ESPB provided an early onset of ambulation with a highly significant divergence (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We concluded that ESPB has a similar analgesic, opioid sparing effect to SIFI block after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and provides early onset of ambulation.

KEYWORDS:

• Suprainguinal fascia iliaca
• erector spinae plane
• hip arthroplasty

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.