The purpose of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of the combination of an adductor canal and selective tibial nerve blocks versus adductor canal block and IPACK after ACL reconstruction under general anaesthesia.
The hypothesis of this study is that a combined adductor canal and selective tibial nerve block provides better analgesia than a combined adductor canal block and IPACK in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. This randomized controlled trial will include two groups: an adductor canal block plus IPACK group (group IPACK) and an adductor canal block plus tibial selective nerve block group (group TIBIAL). After written informed consent, patients will be allocated to one of the groups, following a computer-generated list of randomization. Prior to surgery, all patients will have an adductor canal block with 20ml of ropivacaine 0.75%. In group TIBIAL the patient will receive in addition a selective tibial nerve block with 5 ml of ropivacaine 0.75%. In group IPACK the patient will receive in addition an IPACK with 20ml of ropivacaine 0.2%. In both groups, patients will have the surgery under general anaesthesia with a multimodal analgesic regimen inclusive of iv dexamethasone 8 mg, iv magnesium sulfate 40 mg.kg-1, iv ketorolac 30 mg, and iv acetaminophen 1000 mg. After surgery, all patients will be prescribed an iv patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) of morphine (boluses of 2 mg available every 10 min, maximum of 40 mg every 4 hours) along with oral acetaminophen (1000 mg every 6 h) and oral ibuprofen (400 mg every 8 hours). Oral ondansetron 4 mg every 8 hours will be available on request in case of nausea or vomiting. The primary outcome will be the cumulative iv morphine consumption at 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes will include pain- and functional-related outcomes. Pain-related outcomes include cumulative morphine consumption at 2h and 48h postoperatively, rest and dynamic pain scores and rate of PONV at 2 h, 24 h and 48 h postoperatively. Early functional-related outcomes include range of motion, strength and walking distance at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively. Late functional-related outcomes include range of motion, strength, hop distance, agility test, Y balance test, Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury Scale (ACL-RSI) and International Knee Documentation Committee Scale (IKDC) at 4 and 8 months postoperatively.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
80
The selective tibial nerve block will be performed on the popliteal crease following sterilization of the area. The probe will be placed in a transverse position at the popliteal crease to visualize the popliteal artery and the tibial nerve in short axis. A 21-gauge 50mm insulated facet tip needle (SonoPlex® STIM, Pajunk, Geisingen, DE) will be inserted in-plane with the ultrasound bean from a medial to lateral direction. Once the needle tip is adjacent to the tibial nerve, 5 ml of ropivacaine 0.75% will be injected to achieve an adequate spread of local anaesthetics around the nerve.
The IPACK will be performed on the popliteal crease following sterilization of the area. The probe will be placed in a transverse position proximal to the popliteal crease to visualize the popliteal artery in short axis. A 21-gauge 100 mm insulated facet tip needle (SonoPlex® STIM, Pajunk, Geisingen, DE) will be inserted in-plane with the ultrasound beam, in a lateral to medial direction, between the popliteal artery and the posterior capsule, where twenty mL of ropivacaine 0.2% will be injected under ultrasound guidance. The distribution of local anaesthetics will be observed above the posterior capsule.
University Hospital of Lausanne
Lausanne, Switzerland
Total intravenous morphine consumption
Consumption in mg
Time frame: 1 day postoperatively
Total intravenous morphine consumption
Consumption in mg
Time frame: 2 hours and 2 days postoperatively
Resting and dynamic pain score
Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), 0-10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable
Time frame: 2 hours, 1 day and 2 days postoperatively
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting
Presence of nausea and vomiting in the postoperative period
Time frame: 2 hours, 1 day and 2 days postoperatively
Range of motion
Joint motion in degrees
Time frame: 1 day and 2 days postoperatively
Quadriceps strength
Ordinal scale of 1-5, with 5 being the maximal developed strength compared with the opposite side
Time frame: 1 day and 2 days postoperatively
Walking distance
Distance in meters
Time frame: 1 day and 2 days postoperatively
Range of motion
Joint motion in degrees
Time frame: 4 months and 8 months postoperatively
Concentric quadriceps strength and concentric hamstring strength
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Percentage of strength as compared with the opposite leg
Time frame: 4 months and 8 months postoperatively
Single hop distance, triple hop distance and crossover triple hop distance
Percentage of distance as compared with the opposite leg
Time frame: 4 months and 8 months postoperatively
Agility test
Time in second
Time frame: 4 months and 8 months postoperatively
Y balance test
Distance in cm
Time frame: 4 months and 8 months postoperatively
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury Scale score
Score in percentage
Time frame: 4 months and 8 months postoperatively
International Knee Documentation Committee Scale score
Score in percentage
Time frame: 4 months and 8 months postoperatively