[Continuous femoral nerve block to control postoperative pain in outpatient orthopedic surgery].
OBJECTIVE
Postoperative pain is one of the most frequent complications of outpatient orthopedic surgery. We therefore studied the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of the continuous femoral nerve block as an analgesic technique for outpatient anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.


METHODS
We carried out a single-blind prospective study of ASA 1-2 patients who received a continuous femoral nerve block with 0.125% bupivacaine through an elastomeric pump to treat postoperative pain as part of a multimodal approach. Postoperative pain was assessed on a verbal numerical scale from the immediate postoperative period until 48 hours after the operation. Side effects and patient satisfaction were also assessed.


RESULTS
Sixty-three patients were enrolled. The continuous femoral nerve block was effective: in the first 24 hours following surgery 90% of patients had mild or no pain, and 92% required no rescue medication. It also proved safe, as there were no significant side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The continuous femoral nerve block with 0.125% bupivacaine is a safe, effective option for the management of postoperative pain in outpatient anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
López Alvarez
S
S
Servicio Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Unidad de Cirugía sin Ingreso del Hospital Abente y Lago, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario Juan Canalejo, A Coruña. slopezal@mundo-r.com
Salamanca Montaña
M E
ME
Diéguez García
P
P
García Iglesias
B
B
Cobián Llamas
J M
JM
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D020724:Elastomers; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014147:Tramadol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D020724:Elastomers; D009294:Narcotics; D014147:Tramadol; D002045:Bupivacaine