COMPARISON OF ULTRASOUND GUIDED SUPRA INGUINAL FASCIA ILIACA BLOCK WITH PERICAPSULAR NERVE GROUP BLOCK FOR THE EASE OF POSITIONING FOR THE INDUCTION OF SPINAL ANESTHESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HIP REPLACEMENT

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block and pericapsular nerve group block in terms of pain score and ease of positioning for spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Anesthesaia Department, M Islam Teaching Hospital, Gujranwala from February 2022 to November 2022. A total of 38 patients scheduled for hip replacement surgery under spinal anesthesia were included and divided into two equal groups. Group A received ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block, while Group B received pericapsular nerve group block. Pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale at rest and during passive limb movement before and after block administration. Ease of spinal positioning was assessed using a 0–3 scale.

Results: The mean post-block pain score at rest was 2.84 ± 1.12 in the supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block group and 2.16 ± 0.76 in the pericapsular nerve group block group, showing a statistically significant difference (p=0.035). The mean post-block pain score during movement was 4.63 ± 1.01 in Group A and 3.26 ± 0.45 in Group B (p<0.001). The mean ease of spinal positioning score was 1.52 ± 0.61 in Group A and 2.15 ± 0.50 in Group B (p=0.001). Time to first analgesia request and number of rescue analgesic doses were statistically insignificant between the groups.

Conclusion: It is concluded that pericapsular nerve block showed significantly more effective in terms of pain score and ease of position as compared to supra‑inguinal fascia iliaca block in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery