title: Comparison of analgaesia with lumbar epidurals and lumbar plexus nerve blocks in patients receiving multimodal analgaesics following primary total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: Significant post-operative pain occurs after hip arthroplasty. In a prior study, lumbar plexus nerve blocks provided comparable analgaesia to lumbar epidurals; however, multimodal analgaesics were not used consistently.
  
  
  
  This study assessed a randomly selected cohort of 48 patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty who received a regional anaesthesia technique for post-operative pain. Twenty-four patients with lumbar epidurals and 24 with single-injection lumbar plexus nerve blocks were reviewed using electronic medical records. Post-operative opiate consumption was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were participation in physical therapy, side effects, and time to discharge. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe patients in the different groups. Opiate consumption was compared using linear mixed models. Multivariable models were examined for both primary and secondary endpoints.
  
  
  
  In comparison with patients receiving lumbar epidural catheters, patients with lumbar plexus blocks consumed less opiates post-operatively at 24-36 and 36-48 hours (P = 0.037 and 0.002, respectively); it did not differ at zero to 12 hours or 12-24 hours post-operatively. Patients with lumbar plexus blocks had earlier times to first ambulation (28.5 ± 3.29 vs 21.9 ± 1.76 h; P = 0.043). However, differences by block type were not observed for ambulation distance, level of assistance to ambulate or time of discharge orders.
  
  
  
  Following primary total hip arthroplasty, lumbar plexus nerve blocks provide effective post-operative analgaesia with decreased opiate consumption compared with lumbar epidural catheters. Lumbar plexus blocks also promote earlier post-operative ambulation and are compatible with post-operative prophylactic anticoagulants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 167 Ashley Avenue, Suite 301, MSC 912, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA. harveyn@musc.edu.
authors.forename: N Robert
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 302B 135 Cannon St., Charleston, SC, 29425-9120, USA.
authors.forename: Bethany J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 167 Ashley Avenue, Suite 301, MSC 912, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Bolin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 167 Ashley Avenue, Suite 301, MSC 912, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Sylvia H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004434:Early Ambulation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: Analgaesia; Anesthaesia; Arthroplasty; Epidural; Hip replacement; Nerve block; Pain; Post-operative