the Role of Popliteal Plexus Block in Pain Management After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Analgesic Effect of Adding Popliteal Plexus Block to Standard Saphenous Nerve Block in Patients Scheduled for Elective Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction : Randomized Observer Blind Clinical Trial

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is traumatic and debilitating and is typically repaired using an arthroscopic technique performed as an outpatient surgical procedure. However, many patients complain that the postoperative pain is severe for the first 48 hours following the ACL reconstruction .

Effective postoperative pain management is a critical component to recovery, effective rehabilitation and patient satisfaction. Following ACL reconstruction, psychological factors are predictive of outcomes, and pain levels are inversely associated with function and quality of life assessment.

ACL reconstruction procedures may reflect the complexity innervation of the anatomical areas involved, which includes the femoral nerve and its infrapatellar and saphenous branches, the obturator nerve, as well as the tibial and common peroneal branches of the sciatic nerve. Therefore, surgical variables, namely the location of surgical ports and the source of grafts used, and this creates challenge to anaesthesiologist to determine easy , safe and efficacious nerve block to be used in this setting .

A recently described popliteal plexus block(PPB) is claimed to anesthetize articular branches from the posterior obturator nerve and tibial nerve. It was recently confirmed in a cadaver study that injection of 10 mL of dye into the distal end of the adductor canal spreads via the adductor hiatus to the popliteal fossa and stains the popliteal plexus (PP).

A blockade of the popliteal plexus , has been claimed to produce an equivalent analgesic effect to sciatic nerve block after total knee arthroplasty without causing any motor weakness.

The current study hypothesize that combined saphenous nerve block with popliteal plexus block will enhance post operative analgesia after ACL reconstruction with motor sparing of thigh and leg muscles. Thus, faster recovery and earlier post-operative physiotherapy.

The objective of the current study is to evaluate analgesic effect of combined saphenous and popliteal plexus block as post -operative analgesia for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction operation compared to standard saphenous nerve block .

Patients scheduled for ACL reconstruction will be randomly assigned into one of two groups: the intervention group will receive popliteal plexus block and saphenous nerve block and the control group will receive the standard saphenous nerve block only.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Pain, Postoperative
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: saphenous nerve block; Drug: Plain bupivacaine; Drug: 0.05 mg epinephrine; Procedure: popliteal plexus block

Detailed Description

This study will be performed in Fayoum university Hospital from january 2019 to january 2021 on 58 adult patients undergoing ACL operation after obtaining approval of the Scientific and Ethical Committee of El Fayoum University Hospitals, and written informed consent from the patients.

Randomization will be done by using computer-generated random numbers that will be placed in separate opaque envelopes that will be opened by study investigators just before the block. Neither the participants, the study investigators, the attending clinicians, nor the data collectors will be aware of groups' allocation until the study end. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) recommendations for reporting randomized, controlled clinical trials will be followed.

Preoperative preparation:

History taking , physical examination and investigations will be done according to the local protocol designed to evaluate the patients. which includes complete blood count, blood sugar level, serum urea and creatinine ,liver function tests,coagulation profile and electrocardiogram (ECG) Before surgery, the participants will receive education about the VAS pain score (0-100 mm) (where0=no pain and 100 = worst comprehendible pain)and the details of the nerve block procedures. After a 6 h fast, the patients will be taken into the operation theatre.

Intraoperative management :

The patient will receive Midazolam 0.03 mg/kg intravenous (IV) and Cefotaxime 1 gm as premedication . Monitors (pulse oximeter, electrocardiography and non invasive blood pressure ) will be applied.

Induction of general anaesthesia will be done via propofol 1-2 mg/kg , fentanyl 1-3 mic/kg and atracurium 0.5 mg/kg . Endotracheal tube will be inserted and the patient will be mechanically ventilated. Anesthesia will be maintained with oxygen and isoflurane 1-2 % or as required and atracurium 10mg every 30 minutes. Fentanyl boluses 0.5 μg/kg will be repeated if heart rate (HR) or mean arterial pressure (MAP) rise 20 % above baseline values . Ondansetron 4 mg IV dose will be administered for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis 30 min before the end of the case; dexamethasone use will be avoided due to its potential confounding effect on the block characteristics.and then , nerve blocks will be given according to randomization.

The skin is disinfected and the saphenous nerve is located via Ultrasound . the transducer is placed anteromedially, approximately at mid-thigh level "a high-frequency linear probe 5Y12 megahertz (MHz) prepared in a sterile fashion" (Phillips HD11) . If the artery is not immediately obvious, several maneuvers can be used to identify it, including color Doppler scanning to trace the femoral artery caudally from the inguinal crease. Once the femoral artery has been identified, the probe is moved distally to trace the artery until it passes through the adductor hiatus to become the popliteal artery.

The block needle (Stimuplex; Braun Medical, Bethlehem, Pa), is inserted in plane in a lateral-to-medial orientation and advanced toward the femoral artery . the passage of the needle through the sartorius and/or adductor muscles and into the adductor canal is usually associated with a paresthesia in the saphenous nerve distribution. Once the needle tip is visualized anterior to the artery and after careful aspiration, 1-2 mL of local anesthetic is injected to confirm the proper injection site . When injection of local anesthetic does not appear to result in its spread around the femoral artery, additional needle repositions and injections may be necessary.

Then , moving distally with the artery in the adductor canal until it moves away from the sartorius muscle to enter adductor hiatus . here , L.A will be injected above the artery and so , popliteal plexus block will be accomplished .

Both blocks done via in injection 15 mg bupivacaine 0.5% + 0.05 mg epinephrine. After the block done , VAS score , BP , HR , cumulative and interval opioid consumption and sedation level via Ramsay sedation scale will be measured every 4 hours for 24 hours post-operatively .

Rescue analgesia in the form of morphine per a titration protocol (3 mg morphine sulfate IV as a bolus dose that could be repeated every 5 minutes with a maximum dose of 15mg per 4 hours or 45 mg per 24 hours) was employed if visual analog pain scale (VAS) > 4. The morphine titration protocol was suspended with Oxygen saturation < 95%; Respiratory rate < 10 / min; the development of sedation (Ramsay sedation scale >2); development of acute adverse effects (allergy, marked itching, excessive vomiting, and hypotension with systolic blood pressure _ 20% of baseline values); or attaining adequate level of analgesia.

Statistical Analysis:

Sample size was calculated using (G power version 3). Minimal sample size of patients was 26 in each group needed to get power level 0.80, alpha level 0.05 and 0.8 as an effect size in the time for painkiller request after the intervention between the two groups. To overcome problem of loss of follow up, calculated sample size was increased by 10% to reach 29 in each group.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 58
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Mohamed O Sadewi, master; Phone Number: +20 1092895804; Email: mom01@fayoum.edu.eg
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Atef M Sayed, MD; Phone Number: +20 1003973883; Email: amk04@fayoum.edu.rg

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Fayoum, Egypt, 63514
    • Recruiting
    • Fayoum University hospital
    • Contact: Hany M Yassin, MD; Phone Number: +20 1111363602; Email: Hmyoo@fayoum.edu.eg

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status I/II/III .
• Age > 18 years.
• Body mass index of <40 kg/m2 .

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient refusal,
• Un-cooperative patients
• BMI>40kg/m2 .
• Allergy to local anaesthetics.
• Anticoagulation or bleeding disorders.
• Pre-existing peripheral neuropathies.
• Inflammation or infection over injection site.
• Daily morphine consumption > 40 mg.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: PREVENTION
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: QUADRUPLE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: the control group; this group will receive post-operative saphenous nerve block by 1mg/kg plain bupivacaine 0.5% plus epinephrine 0.05 mg.	Procedure: saphenous nerve block; The skin is disinfected and the saphenous nerve is located via Ultrasound . the transducer is placed anteromedially, approximately at mid-thigh level "a high-frequency linear probe 5Y12 MHz prepared in a sterile fashion" (Phillips HD11) . The block needle (Stimuplex; Braun Medical, Bethlehem, Pa), is inserted in plane in a lateral-to-medial orientation and advanced toward the femoral artery .Once the needle tip is visualized anterior to the artery and after careful aspiration, 1-2 mL of local anesthetic is injected to confirm the proper injection site . When injection of local anesthetic does not appear to result in its spread around the femoral artery, additional needle repositions and injections may be necessary.; Other Names: adductor canal block; Drug: Plain bupivacaine; 15ml of plain bupivacaine 0.5% will be given in both blocks; Drug: 0.05 mg epinephrine; 0.05 mg epinephrine will be added to bupivacaine in both blocks to prolong their duration
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: the intervention group; this group will receive popliteal plexus block by 1mg/kg plain bupivacaine 0.5% plus epinephrine 0.05 mg in addition to standard saphenous nerve block by 1mg/kg plain bupivacaine 0.5% plus epinephrine 0.05 mg.	Procedure: saphenous nerve block; The skin is disinfected and the saphenous nerve is located via Ultrasound . the transducer is placed anteromedially, approximately at mid-thigh level "a high-frequency linear probe 5Y12 MHz prepared in a sterile fashion" (Phillips HD11) . The block needle (Stimuplex; Braun Medical, Bethlehem, Pa), is inserted in plane in a lateral-to-medial orientation and advanced toward the femoral artery .Once the needle tip is visualized anterior to the artery and after careful aspiration, 1-2 mL of local anesthetic is injected to confirm the proper injection site . When injection of local anesthetic does not appear to result in its spread around the femoral artery, additional needle repositions and injections may be necessary.; Other Names: adductor canal block; Drug: Plain bupivacaine; 15ml of plain bupivacaine 0.5% will be given in both blocks; Drug: 0.05 mg epinephrine; 0.05 mg epinephrine will be added to bupivacaine in both blocks to prolong their duration; Procedure: popliteal plexus block; After doing saphenous nerve block , we will move distally with the artery in the adductor canal until it moves away from the sartorius muscle to enter adductor hiatus . here , we will inject L.A above artery and so , popliteal plexus block will be accomplished

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The duration of analgesia	the pain will be assisted based on the time needed for the first dose rescue analgesia	24 hours post-operative

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
the cumulative opioid consumption	the total amount of opioid received post operative	24 hours post operative
The intervals between opioid (morphine) doses	the time needed between two successive opioid doses	24 hours post-operative
the quality of analgesia based on visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest	Severity of pain estimated by visual analog score (VAS) (where 0 = no pain, and 100 = worst imaginable pain)	4 hours post-operative
the quality of analgesia based on visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest	Severity of pain estimated by visual analog score (VAS) (where 0 = no pain, and 100 = worst imaginable pain)	8 hours post-operativE
the quality of analgesia based on visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest	Severity of pain estimated by visual analog score (VAS) (where 0 = no pain, and 100 = worst imaginable pain)	12 hours post-operative
the quality of analgesia based on visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest	Severity of pain estimated by visual analog score (VAS) (where 0 = no pain, and 100 = worst imaginable pain)	16 hours post-operative
the quality of analgesia based on visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest	Severity of pain estimated by visual analog score (VAS) (where 0 = no pain, and 100 = worst imaginable pain)	20 hours post-operative
the quality of analgesia based on visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest	Severity of pain estimated by visual analog score (VAS) (where 0 = no pain, and 100 = worst imaginable pain)	24 hours post-operative
Incidence of complications related to both techniques	complications related to the Block or drug administered	24 hours post-operatively
Incidence of nausea	Morphine related side effect	4 hours post-operative
Incidence of nausea	Morphine related side effect	8 hours post-operative
Incidence of nausea	Morphine related side effect	12 hours post-operative
Incidence of nausea	Morphine related side effect	24 hours post-operative
Incidence of vomiting	Morphine related side effect	4 hours post-operative
Incidence of vomiting	Morphine related side effect	8 hours post-operative
Incidence of vomiting	Morphine related side effect	12 hours post-operative
Incidence of vomiting	Morphine related side effect	24 hours post-operative
Incidence of pruritus	Morphine related side effect	4 hours post-operative
Incidence of pruritus	Morphine related side effect	8 hours post-operative
Incidence of pruritus	Morphine related side effect	12 hours post-operative
Incidence of pruritus	Morphine related side effect	24 hours post-operative
Rate of over-sedation	Morphine related side effect	4 hours post-operative
Rate of over-sedation	Morphine related side effect	8 hours post-operative
Rate of over-sedation	Morphine related side effect	12 hours post-operative
Rate of over-sedation	Morphine related side effect	24 hours post-operative
Incidence of urine retension	Morphine related side effect	4 hours post-operative
Incidence of urine retension	Morphine related side effect	8 hours post-operative
Incidence of urine retension	Morphine related side effect	12 hours post-operative
Incidence of urine retension	Morphine related side effect	24 hours post-operative
Patients satisfaction with postoperative analgesia	Will be evaluated according to a satisfaction score (poor = 0; fair = 1; good = 2; excellent= 3)	24 hours post-operative

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Fayoum University Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Hany MO Yassin, MD, Faculty of medicine , Fayoum university

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Manickam B, Perlas A, Duggan E, Brull R, Chan VW, Ramlogan R. Feasibility and efficacy of ultrasound-guided block of the saphenous nerve in the adductor canal. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2009 Nov-Dec;34(6):578-80. doi: 10.1097/aap.0b013e3181bfbf84.
• Runge C, Moriggl B, Borglum J, Bendtsen TF. The Spread of Ultrasound-Guided Injectate From the Adductor Canal to the Genicular Branch of the Posterior Obturator Nerve and the Popliteal Plexus: A Cadaveric Study. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2017 Nov/Dec;42(6):725-730. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000675.
• Runge C, Bjorn S, Jensen JM, Nielsen ND, Vase M, Holm C, Bendtsen TF. The analgesic effect of a popliteal plexus blockade after total knee arthroplasty: A feasibility study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2018 May 24. doi: 10.1111/aas.13145. Online ahead of print.
• Sehmbi H, Brull R, Shah UJ, El-Boghdadly K, Nguyen D, Joshi GP, Abdallah FW. Evidence Basis for Regional Anesthesia in Ambulatory Arthroscopic Knee Surgery and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Part II: Adductor Canal Nerve Block-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Anesth Analg. 2019 Feb;128(2):223-238. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000002570.
• Mahmoud A, Boules M, Botros J, Mostafa M, Ragab S, Alsaeid M. Analgesic Impact of a Popliteal Plexus Block to Standard Adductor Canal Block in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Blind Clinical Trial. Pain Res Manag. 2021 Dec 17;2021:1723471. doi: 10.1155/2021/1723471. eCollection 2021.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): September 5, 2019
• Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED): October 1, 2021
• Study Completion (ANTICIPATED): January 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 20, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 12, 2019
• First Posted (ACTUAL): July 15, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): November 9, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 5, 2020
• Last Verified: November 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: ACL; saphenous nerve block; popliteal plexus block
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Postoperative Complications; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Pain, Postoperative; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Adrenergic Agents; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Central Nervous System Depressants; Autonomic Agents; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Sensory System Agents; Anesthetics; Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; Adrenergic Agonists; Anesthetics, Local; Bronchodilator Agents; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Respiratory System Agents; Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Sympathomimetics; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Mydriatics; Bupivacaine; Epinephrine
• Other Study ID Numbers: D182

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No