This study was designed to determine the effects of continuous femoral infusion (CFI) on total knee arthroplasty recovery. A total of 92 patients were distributed in 3 groups: Patients in group 1 received general anesthesia followed by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine (n = 33), patients in group 2 received 3-in-1 and sciatic blocks followed by CFI (n = 29), and patients in group 3 received epidural analgesia (n = 30). Blocks reduced postoperative morphine requirement by 74% (vs group 1; P<.05) and 35% (vs group 3; P<.05). ⋯ The use of CFI was associated with a reduction of postoperative bleeding by 72% (vs group 1; P<.05) and allowed better performance on continuous passive motion. CFI was associated with a 90% decrease in serious complications and a 20% decrease in the length of hospitalization. CFI represents a better alternative than PCA or epidural analgesia for postoperative pain management and immediate rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.
J E Chelly, J Greger, R Gebhard, K Coupe, T A Clyburn, R Buckle, and A Criswell.
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030-1503, USA.
J Arthroplasty. 2001 Jun 1;16(4):436-45.
AbstractThis study was designed to determine the effects of continuous femoral infusion (CFI) on total knee arthroplasty recovery. A total of 92 patients were distributed in 3 groups: Patients in group 1 received general anesthesia followed by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine (n = 33), patients in group 2 received 3-in-1 and sciatic blocks followed by CFI (n = 29), and patients in group 3 received epidural analgesia (n = 30). Blocks reduced postoperative morphine requirement by 74% (vs group 1; P<.05) and 35% (vs group 3; P<.05). Blocks provided better recovery than PCA with morphine or an epidural. The use of CFI was associated with a reduction of postoperative bleeding by 72% (vs group 1; P<.05) and allowed better performance on continuous passive motion. CFI was associated with a 90% decrease in serious complications and a 20% decrease in the length of hospitalization. CFI represents a better alternative than PCA or epidural analgesia for postoperative pain management and immediate rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.