Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with significant postoperative pain. This subset of patients have an increased risk of venous thrombosis and, are therefore prescribed perioperative prophylactic anti-coagulant drugs, which may increase the risk of catheter removal with epidural analgesia. New strategies for the treatment of postoperative pain are thus required.
The technique for the fascia iliaca compartment block was first described by Dalens. This is a interesting technique, particularly when a peripheral nerve stimulator is not available.
We evaluated the clinical course of 37 consecutive patients undergoing TKA under spinal and epidural anesthesia. Sixteen patients received the fascia iliaca compartment block (Group 1). The other 21 patients did not as a control group (Group 2). Patients with the fascia iliaca compartment block required a third less postoperative analgesic requirements than the control group in a 4-hour postoperative period (p<0.02).
In conclusion, the fascia iliaca compartment block technique is easy, safe and reliable in managing postoperative pain in TKA patients.
