Geniculate Nerve Block Versus Adductor Canal Block for ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Overview

Anterior cruciate ligament repair (ACL) surgery presents moderate to severe pain during the inmediate postoperative period and the first days after surgery. In addition, due to the interest of surgeons and patients for early reinstatement, the use of blockages that decrease the strength of the quadriceps is avoided. Therefore, in recent years, the adductor canal block (ACB) has been used for postoperative analgesia with variable results. Genicular nerve block (GNB) has been used for pain management in patients with knee osteoarthritis and recently in knee arthroplasty surgery with results similar to the local anesthetic infiltration techniques by the surgeon (LIA). Considering their good results in these patients in addition to being a 100% sensitive block without risk of motor involvement. The investigators proposed this experimental study to evaluate tha analgesic efficacy of the genicular nerve block (GNB) compared with the adductor canal block (ACB) for the Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair surgery.

Participants scheduled to undergo anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under general anaesthesia will be allocated to two groups: Adductor canal block or Genicular nerve block- The adductor canal block will be performed by the anaesthesiologist under ultrasound guidance prior the surgery, after inducction , using 20 mLs Ropivacaine 0.2%. The genicular nerve block will be performed by the anaesthesiologist under ultrasound guidance prior the surgery, after inducction , using 20 mLs Ropivacaine 0.2% in total. Postoperative analgesia will include analgesia (Dexketoprofen 75 mg during first 24 hours), acetomiophen 1 gr every 8 hours and tramadol for rescue pain.