Morbidity, Mortality, Complications, Function
Conditions
Keywords
epidural anesthesia, femoral block, patient control analgesia
Brief summary
Total knee replacement is very common in Germany. After surgery patients have severe pain in the knee; initiation of the physiotherapy, however, is important in the first three days after surgery. Continuous femoral blockade and continuous (lumbar) epidural analgesia are commonly used after surgery. Both methods are used in Germany. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. We wanted to answer the question which method of analgesia - after total knee replacement - is better concerning complications and function (after 3 months) ?
Interventions
DEVICEFemoral catheter
Femoral catheter was inserted at the beginning of surgery. After surgery ropivacaine was administered continuously for three days. In addition, patients received piritramide via patient-controlled analgesia. The amount of ropivacaine was measured.
DEVICEEpidural catheter
The epidural catheter was inserted at the beiginning of surgery. After surgery ropivacaine was applied continuously for three days. In addition, patients received piritramide via patient controlled analgesia. The amount of ropivacaine was measured.
Sponsors
University of Rostock
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* age 18 -80 years * ASA I-III * Surgery: total knee replacement * informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* obesity * contraindication for epidural anesthesia * coagulation disorders
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Function | 3 months after surgery | 3 months after surgery the function of the total knee replacement is testd |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Mortality | 28 days after surgery |
| Morbidity | 28 days after surgery |
Countries
Germany
Outcome results
None listed