Total knee arthroplasty as an overnight-stay procedure using continuous femoral nerve blocks at home: a prospective feasibility study

Anesth Analg. 2006 Jan;102(1):87-90. doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000189562.86969.9f.

Abstract

The average duration of hospitalization after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the United States is 4-5 days. In this two-phase study we investigated the feasibility of converting TKA into an overnight-stay procedure using a continuous femoral nerve block provided at home through postoperative day 4. Nine of 10 patients met discharge criteria and were discharged home the day after surgery. Pain was well controlled, opioid requirements and sleep disturbances were minimal, and patient satisfaction was high. Additional research is required to replicate these results in a controlled trial, define the appropriate subset of patients, and assess the incidence of complications associated with this practice before its mainstream use.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ambulatory Care / methods*
  • Amides / administration & dosage
  • Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / methods*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Femoral Nerve*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Block / methods*
  • Pain Measurement / methods
  • Pain, Postoperative / drug therapy
  • Pain, Postoperative / epidemiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Ropivacaine
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Amides
  • Ropivacaine