title: Comparison of lumbar plexus block versus conventional opioid analgesia after total knee replacement.
abstract: A randomised controlled study was undertaken to assess the analgesic efficacy of continuous lumbar plexus block for the first 48 hours after total knee replacement surgery. Boluses of 0.5% bupivacaine with adrenaline 1 in 200,000 (0.3 ml/kg) were administered through a cannula inserted into the neurovascular sheath of the femoral nerve. Thirteen patients who received this block required significantly less morphine than a control group of 16 patients. Pain scores were similar and there were no complications related to this technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Serpell
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D002045:Bupivacaine; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009407:Nerve Block; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine; D002045:Bupivacaine