Enhancing postoperative recovery in total hip arthroplasty: the role of pericapsular nerve group and lateral cutaneous nerve block under spinal anaesthesia.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare the efficacy of spinal anaesthesia alone versus spinal anesthesia augmented with ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block combined with lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) block in improving perioperative analgesia and functional recovery in patients undergoing THA.

METHODS: In a prospective, randomized clinical trial we included 66 patients scheduled for THA were divided into two groups: one receiving spinal anaesthesia alone (SA group; n = 32) and the other receiving spinal anaesthesia with regional analgesia blocks PENG + LFCN (SRAB group; n = 34). In the SRAB group, PENG followed by LFCN blocks were administered under ultrasound guidance before spinal anaesthesia.

RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in the onset of postoperative pain (p < 0.01) and the total amount of analgesics required in the first 36 postoperative hours (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The combined approach of spinal anaesthesia with PENG and LFCN blockade, enables opioid-free analgesia and may contribute to a safer and more comfortable postoperative experience for THA patients.