PENG Block: Continuous Infusion vs. Programmed Intermittent Bolus in Neck of Femur Fracture

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

continuous infusion of levobupivacaine: Participants in this arm will receive a continuous infusion of levobupivacaine via a regional anaesthesia catheter placed in the PENG fascial space. The total dose over 24 hours will be equivalent in both arms of the study.

Programmed Intermittent Bolus of Levobupivacaine: Participants in this arm will receive a timed pre-set bolus dose of levobupivacaine via a regional anaesthesia catheter placed in the PENG fascial space. The total dose over 24 hours will be equivalent in both groups.

Study summary

Pericapsular Nerve Group Block (PENG) is an effective regional anaesthesia modality in providing analgesia following neck of femur fracture. Continuous PENG techniques, using indwelling catheters and infusions of local anaesthetic, facilitate the continuation of analgesia for a number of days following hip fracture surgery. It is unclear from the published literature whether an optimal strategy of local anaesthetic delivery has been characterized.

Similar doses of local anaesthetic agents can be administered by either continuous infusion or timed intermittent bolus. It is unclear whether one dosing strategy is superior to the other in the context of hip fracture analgesia. The study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of both dosing strategies in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Numeric Rating Pain Scale (NRS 0-10) — 48 Hours Post-operatively
  Patients will be invited to rate their post operative pain at rest and on movement on a 0-10 scale; where 0 is no pain and 10 is worst imaginable pain.

Trial sites (1)