Femoral/Sciatic Block for Knee Surgery

Continuous Femoral Nerve Blockade and Single Shot Sciatic Nerve Block Compared to Intrathecal Morphine for Total Knee Arthroplasty

Knee arthroplasty has a high potential for postoperative pain. This study compares analgesia and postoperative bleeding from intrathecal morphine with the continuous femoral and a single-shot sciatic nerve blockades.

This study aims to compare intrathecal morphine as a technique for analgesia with the femoral nerve blockade associated with a single-shot sciatic nerve blockade. Analgesic efficacy, the incidence of adverse effects, and postoperative bleeding were evaluated

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged over 18 years old, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status from I to III who underwent total knee arthroplasty

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged below 18 years old, ASA IV or V physical status, infection near the puncture site, coagulation disorders, preexisting neurological disorders, allergy report to local anesthetics, pregnancy and lactation, contraindications to spinal block and refusal to sign an informed consent form