The Effect of Postoperative Single-Injection Adductor Canal Block in Total Knee Arthroplasty Under Spinal Anesthesia With Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine Infusion.

BACKGROUND: Single-injection adductor canal block (SACB) is one of the multimodal pain managements in total knee arthroplasty. The effect of an intrathecal local anesthetic is prolonged with an intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion. Currently, SACB's effect along with the prolonged spinal anesthesia effect by dexmedetomidine has not been studied elsewhere.

METHODS: Seventy-eight patients were randomized to either the SACB group (n = 39) or the control group (n = 39). Spinal anesthesia and continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine were performed intraoperatively. The SACB was performed using 15 mL of either 0.5% ropivacaine or normal saline in postanesthesia care unit postoperatively. Primary endpoint examined the average numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after SACB while resting or moving. The secondary outcomes were the morphine equivalent, postoperative nausea and vomiting score, quadriceps strength, and overall satisfaction score.

RESULTS: The SACB group showed a lower average NRS pain score until 24 hours than the control group (2.4 vs 3.3 resting, 3.4 vs 4.1 moving). Resting and moving NRS scores at 6 and 12 hours were significantly lower in the SACB group, whereas no difference was found at 2, 24, and 48 hours, regardless of movement. The satisfaction score was higher in the SACB group than in the control group (9 [7.3-10.0] vs 7 [5.3-8.8]), and morphine equivalent at 2 hours was lower in the SACB group (2 [1-3]) than in the control group (2.9 [1.6-4]).

CONCLUSIONS: SACB provided an additional analgesic effect in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia with continuous dexmedetomidine intravenous infusion.