Comparison of Anesthetic Techniques on Total Hip Arthroplasty

The Influence of Anesthetic Technique on Post-operative Pain Scores and Range of Motion in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

To compare analgesia and orthopedic rehabilitation milestones in patients receiving either spinal anesthesia (local anesthetic plus opioid) or general endotracheal anesthesia with lumbar plexus block.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Osteoarthritis
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Lumbar Plexus Block

Detailed Description

To compare analgesia and orthopedic rehabilitation milestones in patients receiving either spinal anesthesia (local anesthetic plus opioid) or general endotracheal anesthesia with lumbar plexus block.

: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common surgery worldwide. Despite the prevalence of this procedure, there is no "gold standard" anesthetic. Several different techniques are utilized. The two most common anesthesia modalities are: 1) spinal anesthesia 2) general anesthesia (with or without a peripheral nerve block). The choice of anesthetic technique is often based on the training and experience of the anesthesia provider, as well as the culture of the institution. Both spinal anesthesia (consisting of local anesthetic and opioid) and general anesthesia (combined with lumbar plexus nerve block) can provide adequate intra-operative anesthesia as well as prolonged post-operative analgesia. The goal of this study is to determine if the choice of one of these two anesthetic techniques influences postoperative pain scores and orthopedic rehabilitation markers in patients undergoing primary THA.

Several studies have compared spinal versus general anesthesia in terms of post-operative pain relief, nausea and vomiting, blood loss, and deep venous thrombosis. Most of these studies did not utilize a lumbar plexus nerve block for postoperative analgesia in the general anesthesia subjects. The investigators are not aware of any randomized, controlled studies examining differences in orthopedic outcomes when THA is performed under spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia with lumbar plexus nerve block. These two anesthetic techniques result in different degrees of intraoperative muscle relaxation which may affect post-operative range of motion. Analgesic differences between the two techniques may also affect range of motion and post-operative ambulation.

The investigators propose to compare post-operative pain scores as a primary outcome in patients receiving either spinal anesthesia (bupivicaine with morphine) or general anesthesia with lumbar plexus block for THA. Orthopedic outcomes, including distance of first ambulation, physical therapy range of motion, and limb length discrepancies will be measured as secondary outcomes. Continuous pulse oximetry and capnograpahy data will be recorded for 24 hours postoperatively on all patients. The incidence of urinary tract infections and post-operative nausea and vomiting between groups will be additional measured outcomes.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 70
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Pennsylvania
    • Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, 17033
      • Penn State Hershey Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elective primary THA
• Surgery by Dr. Fenwick and Dr. Raab
• Anesthesia clinic pre-operative appointment
• ASA I, II, III

Exclusion Criteria:

• Revision THA
• Prior THA on opposite side
• Traumatic hip injury
• Contraindication to neuraxial or regional anesthesia
• History of post-operative nausea and vomiting > 2 prior general anesthetics
• Allergy to local anesthetics, morphine, hydromorphone, dexamethasone, or ondansetron
• History of substance abuse or chronic narcotic use
• Severe degenerative joint disease to non-operative joint impairing ambulation
• Severe back pain or spinal cord stenosis limiting ambulation
• BMI > 40

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

No Intervention: Lumbar plexus Block; This group will recieve pre-operative lumbar plexus block plus general anesthesia

Procedure: Lumbar Plexus Block; lumbar plexus block followed by a general anesthetic. The lumbar plexus block will be performed by an attending anesthesiologist using ultrasound guidance (for measuring the depth of the psoas compartment) and nerve stimulation. A standardized block solution of 30 mL 0.5% ropivacaine will be injected in fractionated doses when a quadriceps muscle twitch is present to nerve stimulation at <0.50 mA. Fifteen minutes after block completion, the block's effectiveness will be evaluated with an ice test.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
To compare analgesia and orthopedic rehabilitation milestones (range of motion) in patients receiving either spinal anesthesia (local anesthetic plus opioid) or general endotracheal anesthesia with lumbar plexus block.	On arrival to the adult orthopedic/joint reconstruction ward, a physical therapist will assess the range of motion and document the findings in Powerchart using a pre-existing template. This will be the main primary outcome measure along with ongoing pain scale as part of the orthopedic rehabilitation milestones.	Approx one to three month post-op

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: John Anson, MD, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: July 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 23, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 24, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): May 25, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): October 2, 2015
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 30, 2015
• Last Verified: September 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: spinal anesthesia; Total hip arthroplasty; range of motion; lumbar plexus block; Anesthetic Technique; Post-operative Pain Scores
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Arthritis; Osteoarthritis
• Other Study ID Numbers: MSHersheyMC