title: The efficacy of adductor canal blockade after minor arthroscopic knee surgery--a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adductor canal blockade (ACB) has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of post-operative pain after major knee surgery. We hypothesised that the ACB would reduce pain and analgesic requirements after minor arthroscopic knee surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two patients scheduled for minor knee surgery were enrolled in this placebo-controlled, blinded trial. The patients were randomised to receive an ACB with either 30 ml ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml (n = 36) or saline (n = 35) in addition to a basic analgesic regimen with paracetamol and ibuprofen. Primary outcome measure was pain during standing at 2 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes were pain at rest, while standing and after a 5-m walk; opioid consumption and opioid-related side effects 0-24 h after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain scores {median [interquartile range (IQR)]}, regarding primary outcome were 15 (0-26) mm in the ropivacaine vs. 17 (5-28) mm in the control group, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-10 to 4) mm, P = 0.41. Ketobemidone consumption 0-2 h post-operatively [median (IQR)] was lower in the ropivacaine vs. the control group: 0.0 (0.0-2.5) mg vs. 2.5 (0.0-5.0) mg, 95% CI: -2.5 to 0 mg, P = 0.01. No differences were observed for any other outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant analgesic effect of the ACB could be detected after minor arthroscopic knee surgery with a basic analgesic regimen with acetaminophen and ibuprofen, except from a minor reduction in immediate requirements for supplemental opioids. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01254825.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Espelund
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fomsgaard
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haraszuk
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mathiesen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000577:Amides; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001182:Arthroscopy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000453:epidemiology; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013848:Thigh / Q000294:innervation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine