title: [Continuous femoral nerve block to control postoperative pain in outpatient orthopedic surgery].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: López Alvarez
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Salamanca Montaña
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Diéguez García
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: García Iglesias
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cobián Llamas
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D020724:Elastomers; D009294:Narcotics; D014147:Tramadol; D002045:Bupivacaine