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Comparison of Two Different Regional Analgesia Techniques for Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

Analgesic Efficacy of IPACK Versus Selective Tibial Nerve Block in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty Under Spinal Anesthesia With an Adductor Canal Block: a Randomized Controlled Double-blinded Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06179641
Acronym
PIPACK
Enrollment
100
Registered
2023-12-22
Start date
2024-02-08
Completion date
2025-07-18
Last updated
2024-02-09

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

Conditions

Analgesia, Arthropathy of Knee, Postoperative Pain

Keywords

nerve block, pain management, postoperative pain

Brief summary

The objective of this clinical trial is to compare two regional analgesia techniques in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: IPACK (Infiltration of local anesthetic between the Popliteal Artery and Capsule of the Knee) vs selective tibial nerve block. The main question is whether one of these peripheral blocks is more effective in reducing postoperative pain than the other. All patients will have a spinal block with an adductor canal block. One group will receive an IPACK block and the other group, a selective tibial nerve block. Postoperative pain scores and morphine consumption, among others, will be compared between groups.

Detailed description

The aim of this randomized controlled double blinded trail is to compare an analgesic effect of an IPACK (Infiltration of local anesthetic between the Popliteal Artery and Capsule of the Knee) block vs selective tibial nerve block in patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia with an adductor canal block. The investigators presume that association of a selective tibial nerve block with an adductor canal block provides better postoperative analgesia than a combination of an IPACK (Infiltration of local anesthetic between the Popliteal Artery and Capsule of the Knee) block with an adductor canal block. The research team plan on including 100 patients and randomly assign them to two groups of 50 patients each. After written informed consent, patients will be allocated to one of the groups, following a computer-generated list of randomization. All patients will receive central spinal anesthesia with 12.5 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine with 100 mcg of morphine and an adductor canal block with 150 mg of ropivacaine. IPACK block group will then receive an IPACK block with 38 mg of ropivacaine and a tibial nerve group will receive a selective tibial nerve block with 37.5 mg of ropivacaine. During the surgery, iv dexamethasone 8 mg, iv magnesium sulfate 40 mg.kg-1, iv ketorolac 30 mg, and iv acetaminophen 1000 mg. will be administered to all patients. 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 are cumulative morphine consumption in the recovery room, at day 1, day 2 and day 3 postoperatively, rest and dynamic pain scores, duration of peripheral nerve block defined as the time between the execution of the block and the first dose of iv morphine, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and pruritus during 3 days following surgical intervention, incidence of peroneal nerve block and complications of peripheral nerve blocks.

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 anesthetics around the nerve.

PROCEDUREIPACK block

The IPACK (Infiltration of local anesthetic between the Popliteal Artery and Capsule of the Knee) 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 nineteen mL of ropivacaine 0.2% will be injected under ultrasound guidance. The distribution of local anesthetics 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)

Masking description

quadruple

Intervention model description

single centered, prospective, randomized double blinded controlled trial

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* American Society of Anesthesiologists classification I-III * 18 yo or older * patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty under central spinal anesthesia * informed consent signed

Exclusion criteria

* Refusal or inability for informed consent * Known allergies to ropivacaine, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketorolac, morphine, ondansetron or dexamethasone * 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) * Alcohol abuse

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total iv morphine consumption24 hours postoperativelyconsumption in mg

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
PCA administered morphine consumptionat day 1, day 2 and day 3 postoperativelyconsumption in mg administered by PCA
rest and dynamic pain scoresat day 1, day 2 and day 3 postoperativelyVisual Analogue scale(VAS), 0-10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable
Duration of peripheral nerve blockFrom execution of a peripheral nerve block till administration of a first dose of iv morphine, up to 48 hoursTime between execution of a peripheral nerve block and the first dose of iv morphine
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomitingat day 1, day 2 and day 3 postoperativelyPresence of nausea and vomiting in the postoperative period
Incidence of pruritusat day 1, day 2 and day 3 postoperativelyPresence of pruritus
Morphine consumption in the recovery roomFrom admission till discharge from the recovery room, up to 2 hoursconsumption in mg
complications of peripheral nerve blocksat the moment of execution of the block (day 0) and at day 3 postoperativelyiv injection, hematoma, infection
passive and active motion rangeat day 3 postoperativelyjoint motion in degrees
quadriceps strengthat day 3 postoperativelyPercentage of strength as compared with the opposite leg
walking distanceat 72h postoperativelywalking distance without pain
hospital stayfrom admission to the hospital till discharge, up to 3 dayslength of hospital stay in days
peroneal nerve blockat day 1, day 2 and day 3 postoperativelypresence of peroneal nerve block

Countries

Switzerland

Contacts

Primary ContactMarta Szyszko du Bois d'Aische
marta.szyszko@chuv.ch+41795564002

Outcome results

None listed

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