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IPACK or Selective Tibial Nerve Block for ACL Reconstruction With an Adductor Canal Block

Analgesic Efficacy of IPACK Versus Selective Tibial Nerve Block in Patients Scheduled for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Under General Anaesthesia With an Adductor Canal Block: a Randomized Controlled Double-blinded Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05303233
Acronym
TIPACK
Enrollment
80
Registered
2022-03-31
Start date
2022-05-01
Completion date
2025-07-14
Last updated
2025-08-08

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

Conditions

Analgesia

Keywords

Regional anesthesia, Selective tibial nerve block, IPACK, Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Multimodal analgesia, Local anesthetics

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of the combination of an adductor canal and selective tibial nerve blocks versus adductor canal block and IPACK after ACL reconstruction under general anaesthesia.

Detailed description

The hypothesis of this study is that a combined adductor canal and selective tibial nerve block provides better analgesia than a combined adductor canal block and IPACK in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. This randomized controlled trial will include two groups: an adductor canal block plus IPACK group (group IPACK) and an adductor canal block plus tibial selective nerve block group (group TIBIAL). After written informed consent, patients will be allocated to one of the groups, following a computer-generated list of randomization. Prior to surgery, all patients will have an adductor canal block with 20ml of ropivacaine 0.75%. In group TIBIAL the patient will receive in addition a selective tibial nerve block with 5 ml of ropivacaine 0.75%. In group IPACK the patient will receive in addition an IPACK with 20ml of ropivacaine 0.2%. In both groups, patients will have the surgery under general anaesthesia with a multimodal analgesic regimen inclusive of iv dexamethasone 8 mg, iv magnesium sulfate 40 mg.kg-1, iv ketorolac 30 mg, and iv acetaminophen 1000 mg. After surgery, all patients will be prescribed an iv patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) of morphine (boluses of 2 mg available every 10 min, maximum of 40 mg every 4 hours) along with oral acetaminophen (1000 mg every 6 h) and oral ibuprofen (400 mg every 8 hours). Oral ondansetron 4 mg every 8 hours will be available on request in case of nausea or vomiting. The primary outcome will be the cumulative iv morphine consumption at 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes will include pain- and functional-related outcomes. Pain-related outcomes include cumulative morphine consumption at 2h and 48h postoperatively, rest and dynamic pain scores and rate of PONV at 2 h, 24 h and 48 h postoperatively. Early functional-related outcomes include range of motion, strength and walking distance at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively. Late functional-related outcomes include range of motion, strength, hop distance, agility test, Y balance test, Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury Scale (ACL-RSI) and International Knee Documentation Committee Scale (IKDC) at 4 and 8 months postoperatively.

Interventions

The selective tibial nerve block will be performed on the popliteal crease following sterilization of the area. The probe will be placed in a transverse position at the popliteal crease to visualize the popliteal artery and the tibial nerve in short axis. A 21-gauge 50mm insulated facet tip needle (SonoPlex® STIM, Pajunk, Geisingen, DE) will be inserted in-plane with the ultrasound bean from a medial to lateral direction. Once the needle tip is adjacent to the tibial nerve, 5 ml of ropivacaine 0.75% will be injected to achieve an adequate spread of local anaesthetics around the nerve.

PROCEDUREIPACK

The IPACK will be performed on the popliteal crease following sterilization of the area. The probe will be placed in a transverse position proximal to the popliteal crease to visualize the popliteal artery in short axis. A 21-gauge 100 mm insulated facet tip needle (SonoPlex® STIM, Pajunk, Geisingen, DE) will be inserted in-plane with the ultrasound beam, in a lateral to medial direction, between the popliteal artery and the posterior capsule, where twenty mL of ropivacaine 0.2% will be injected under ultrasound guidance. The distribution of local anaesthetics will be observed above the posterior capsule.

Sponsors

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* ASA score I-III * 18 years or older * Scheduled for elective primary ACL reconstruction * Signature of consent form

Exclusion criteria

* Refusal or inability for informed consent * Known allergies to ropivacaine, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketorolac, morphine, sufentanyl, ondansetron or dexamethason * Secondary surgical revision * Opioid treatment such as morphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, tramadol, methadone, fentanyl, buprenorphine or codeine * Bleeding diathesis * Neurological deficit * Known renal insufficiency (eGFR \<45 ml/min) * Known hepatic insufficiency (Child score B or C) * Pregnancy or lactating * Alcohol abuse

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total intravenous morphine consumption1 day postoperativelyConsumption in mg

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Resting and dynamic pain score2 hours, 1 day and 2 days postoperativelyNumeric Rating Scale (NRS), 0-10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting2 hours, 1 day and 2 days postoperativelyPresence of nausea and vomiting in the postoperative period
Range of motion1 day and 2 days postoperativelyJoint motion in degrees
Quadriceps strength1 day and 2 days postoperativelyOrdinal scale of 1-5, with 5 being the maximal developed strength compared with the opposite side
Walking distance1 day and 2 days postoperativelyDistance in meters
Total intravenous morphine consumption2 hours and 2 days postoperativelyConsumption in mg
Single hop distance, triple hop distance and crossover triple hop distance4 months and 8 months postoperativelyPercentage of distance as compared with the opposite leg
Agility test4 months and 8 months postoperativelyTime in second
Y balance test4 months and 8 months postoperativelyDistance in cm
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury Scale score4 months and 8 months postoperativelyScore in percentage
International Knee Documentation Committee Scale score4 months and 8 months postoperativelyScore in percentage
Concentric quadriceps strength and concentric hamstring strength4 months and 8 months postoperativelyPercentage of strength as compared with the opposite leg

Countries

Switzerland

Outcome results

None listed

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