Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block Combined With Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN) Block or Wound Infiltration for Postoperative Analgesia in Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN) Block or Wound Infiltration (WI) Combined With Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block for Analgesia in Elective Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to compare two multimodal regional anesthesia strategies for postoperative analgesia in elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed via anterior approach. Patients will be randomized to receive either a Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block combined with a Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN) block, or a PENG block combined with wound infiltration (WI).

The primary outcome is postoperative pain intensity at rest, measured by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at 6 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include dynamic pain scores at 6, 24, and 48 hours, total opioid consumption, time to first rescue analgesia, quadriceps strength, hip flexion angle, length of stay, and adverse events.

All procedures are routinely used in clinical practice and carry minimal additional risk. Safety will be continuously monitored by the Principal Investigator and the study team according to an internal Safety Monitoring Plan.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age > 18 years
• Elective total hip arthroplasty
• Spinal (subarachnoid) anesthesia
• Written informed consent provided by the patient or by the legal guardian, if appointed

Exclusion Criteria:

• INR > 1.5
• aPTT > 1.5
• Platelet count < 75,000/mm³
• Signs suggestive of infection at the puncture site
• Absence of informed consent to the procedure
• Documented or suspected allergy to local anesthetics