Skip to content

Continuous L2 Paravertebral Block Versus Continuous Lumbar Plexus Block for Postoperative Analgesia

Continuous L2 Paravertebral Block Versus Continuous Lumbar Plexus Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01571492
Enrollment
60
Registered
2012-04-05
Start date
2009-06-30
Completion date
2015-06-30
Last updated
2017-06-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Total Hip Arthroplasty

Keywords

Postoperative Pain, Nerve block, Total Hip Arthroplasty, Postoperative analgesia, Lumbar Plexus Catheters, L2 Paravertebral Catheters

Brief summary

This prospective study is intended to compare the analgesic efficacy, preservation of lower extremity motor power and side-effect profile of L2 Paravertebral lumbar plexus approach compared to Posterior nerve stimulation guided lumbar plexus approach, continuous local anesthetic infusion postoperative analgesia of Total Hip Arthroplasty. The L2 Paravertebral technique of lumbar plexus block, as part of a multimodal pain treatment, could be a cost-effective alternative with a equal profile of analgesic efficacy and motor power sparing with greater promotion of early achievement of postoperative physical therapy goals.

Detailed description

The nerve stimulator guided technique of continuous lumbar plexus block (LPB) is the accepted standard of care at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) for the management of postoperative analgesia after Total Hip Arthroplasty. Over 900 continuous lumbar plexus blocks were performed at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside hospital within the last year alone. Continuous thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) is also commonly performed at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside . Over 2000 are performed annually for a wide variety of surgical procedures. Recently authors have suggested that a lumbar paravertebral block (LPVB) may represent an alternative approach to the lumbar plexus. Indeed the L2 paravertebral approach of the lumbar plexus has been described to provide adequate postoperative analgesia following hip arthroscopic surgery. However, to date, there is no prospective direct comparison between L2 Lumbar plexus approach and the posterior approach for postoperative analgesia after Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Interventions

PROCEDUREL2 Paravertebral catheter nerve block

A continuous L2 paravertebral catheter will be placed according to UPMC standard of care practices.

PROCEDUREContinuous Lumbar plexus nerve block

A continuous unilateral lumbar plexus catheter will be placed according to UPMC standard of care practices.

Sponsors

University of Pittsburgh
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age between 18-75 years * No contraindications to placement of a lumbar plexus posterior block or paravertebral block. * ASA status I-III * Scheduled for open total hip arthroplasty with the same surgeon. * Patients without painful conditions or chronic use of opioid or antineuropathic medications. * Patient who are not expected to receive therapeutic anticoagulation in the postoperative period. * No Known allergies to the medications used in the study. * Patients willing to receive spinal anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

* Age under 18 years or older than 75 years. * Any contraindication to a placement of continuous lumbar plexus Block. * American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status IV or greater. * Chronic painful conditions. * Preoperative opioid tolerant use. * Coagulation Abnormalities or patients who are expected to be on therapeutic anticoagulants postoperatively. * Allergy to any of the drugs/agents used study protocol. * Personal or family history of malignant hyperthermia. * Serum creatinine greater than 1.4 mg/dl. * Pregnancy * Having an altered mental status (not oriented to place, person, or time) * Any comorbid condition that, in the judgment of the consulting orthopedic surgeon, or intraoperative anesthesiologist, would proscribe the patient from any aspect of the study. * Patient refusal. * Lumbar plexus block performed with loss of resistance technique * Patient requiring postoperative management in the ICU

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative Opiate consumption24 postoperativelyPostoperative Opiate consumption will be recorded as Morphine IV mg equivalent, for the first 24 hours.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
NRS Pain Score (at rest)24 and 48 hours postoperativelyPain scores at Rest will be recorded at 24 and 48 Hours
NRS Pain Score during physical therapy24 and 48 hours postoperativelyPain scores at Rest and During physical therapy will be recorded at 24 and 48 Hours
TUG (Timed Up and Go)24 hours postoperativelyThe timed get up and go test is a measurement of mobility. It includes a number of tasks such as standing from a seating position, walking, turning, stopping, and sitting down which are all important tasks needed for a person to be independently mobile.
Straight Leg Raise(SLR)24 hours postoperativelyIn supine position with the extremity being tested and contralateral flexed LE with foot flat on surface. Patient is instructed to lift extremity to level of contralateral knee. Inability to lift entire LE off of the surface to the level of the contralateral knee would be indicative of hip flexor weakness. If the patient is able to lift LE off of the surface, however the knee flexes/unable to maintain full knee extension, this is indicative of quad weakness.
Long arc quad (LAQ)24 hours postoperativelyIn sitting position at the edge of the bed or chair. Patient is asked to extend lower leg fully on side that is being tested. If able, this is indicative that quad function is intact. If unable to fully extend knee, would indicate quad weakness.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026