Should Preoperative Fascia Iliaca Block Be Used for Hip Arthroscopic Labral Repair and Femoroacetabular Impingement Treatment? A Prospective Single Blinded Randomized Study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the analgesic effect of preoperative fascia iliaca block on postoperative morphine equivalent dose, pain level, and patient satisfaction for patients electing to undergo primary hip arthroscopic labral repair with osteochondroplasty.

Methods: This prospective study included 60 patients (fascia iliaca block group: n = 27; control group: n = 33) undergoing elective arthroscopic hip surgery by a single board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in hip arthroscopy. Participants for the study included patients older than 10 years of age and younger than 85 years of age, American Society of Anesthesiologists classifications I to III, diagnosed with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement, and/or hip labral tear, and/or cartilage damage, and electing to undergo arthroscopic hip surgery. Patients were randomized by surgical date to receive preoperative fascia iliaca block or control (no fascia iliaca block). Preoperative fascia iliaca block was administered by 1 of 4 board certified anesthesiologists using identical anesthetic (35-40 mL ropivacaine 0.35%). Postoperative morphine equivalent dose, self-reported pain level (visual analog scale) and patient satisfaction were measure postoperatively.

Results: There were no significant differences between the control group and the fascia iliaca block group in sex, age, height, weight, or body mass index. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups in distribution of American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (p = .031). There were no significant differences in postoperative morphine equivalent dose for patients receiving fascia iliaca block compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in self-reported visual analog scale pain and patient satisfaction between the 2 groups at any of the measured time points following surgery.

Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, routine preoperative fascia iliaca block for elective hip arthroscopic labral repair and treatment of femoroacetabular impingement is not recommended.

Level of evidence: Level II, prospective single blinded randomized study.