• L Ø Andersen, H Husted, K S Otte, B B Kristensen, and H Kehlet.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. lasse.oestergaard.andersen@hvh.regionh.dk
• Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2008 Nov 1;52(10):1331-5.

BackgroundHigh-volume infiltration analgesia may be effective with a low risk of side effects in hip and knee arthroplasty. The present placebo-controlled study was carried out to evaluate the analgesic effect of high-volume infiltration analgesia in bilateral total knee arthroplasty, along with a detailed description of the infiltration technique.MethodsIn a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients undergoing bilateral knee arthroplasty, saline or high-volume (170 ml) ropivacaine (0.2%) with epinephrine was infiltrated around each knee, with repeated doses administered through an intra-articular catheter for 24 h and pain and opioid requirements assessed for 48 h in a fast-track setting.ResultsPain at rest and during movement was significantly reduced for up to 32 h with the high-volume local anesthetic infiltration technique. No major side effects were observed. The median hospital stay was 4 days.ConclusionHigh-volume infiltration analgesia is effective in knee arthroplasty and, due to its simplicity, may be preferable compared with other analgesic techniques in knee arthroplasty.

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