[A Prospective Evaluation of the Fixation of the Catheters for Continuous Femoral Nerve Block in Patients Receiving Total Knee Arthroplasty].

BACKGROUND: Continuous femoral block in total knee arthroplasty gives excellent perioperative pain control and quality of rehabilitation. Although accidental catheter dislodgement and fluid leakage from the puncture site are considered as major complications, there is no standard catheter fixation technique introduced. We tested a novel technique using a new transparent medical dressing combined with instant tissue adhesive to reduce the catheter related complications.

METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly divided into the Tegadarm comfort film dressing with aron alpha A [Sankyo] group (TA group) and the Tegadarm film group (T group). We measured the number of exchanged dressings, fluid leakage and catheter stability.

RESULTS: TA group had significantly fewer number of exchanged dressings and fluid leakage than in the T group. The catheters were more stable in the TA group. There were no differences in adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS: Using the Tegadarm comfort film dressing with aron alpha A [Sankyo] could be an effective fixation method in the continuous femoral nerve block.