Outcome of Patients After Total Knee Replacement: A Comparison of Femoral Nerve Block and Epidural Anesthesia

University of Rostock80 enrolled

Overview

Total knee replacement is very common in Germany. After surgery patients have severe pain in the knee; initiation of the physiotherapy, however, is important in the first three days after surgery. Continuous femoral blockade and continuous (lumbar) epidural analgesia are commonly used after surgery. Both methods are used in Germany. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. We wanted to answer the question which method of analgesia - after total knee replacement - is better concerning complications and function (after 3 months) ?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Morbidity Mortality Complications Function

Interventions

Femoral catheterDEVICE

Femoral catheter was inserted at the beginning of surgery. After surgery ropivacaine was administered continuously for three days. In addition, patients received piritramide via patient-controlled analgesia. The amount of ropivacaine was measured.

Epidural catheterDEVICE

The epidural catheter was inserted at the beiginning of surgery. After surgery ropivacaine was applied continuously for three days. In addition, patients received piritramide via patient controlled analgesia. The amount of ropivacaine was measured.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 80 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * age 18 -80 years * ASA I-III * Surgery: total knee replacement * informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * obesity * contraindication for epidural anesthesia * coagulation disorders

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Function

3 months after surgery the function of the total knee replacement is testd

Time frame: 3 months after surgery

Secondary Outcomes

Mortality

Time frame: 28 days after surgery

Morbidity