Comparison of genicular nerve block with adductor canal block for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee ligament reconstruction: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Genicular nerve block (GNB) is beneficial in early ambulation and faster patient discharge since it selectively blocks articular branches and is motor-sparing. This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided GNB with adductor canal block (ACB) in patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). This randomised, double-blind study was conducted on 38 adults undergoing arthroscopic ACLR. Patients in Group GNB (n = 19) received US-guided GNB with 3 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and 2 mg dexamethasone. Patients in Group ACB (n = 19) received US-guided ACB with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with 6 mg dexamethasone. Postoperative rescue analgesia was provided by intravenous Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) with morphine. The primary outcome was Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores over 24 h. The secondary outcome was the duration of analgesia and 24-h morphine consumption. The Chi-square test was used to test the statistical significance between categorical variables. Independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables. NRS scores at rest and physical activity at 24 h were similar in both the groups (P = 0.429 and P = 0.101, respectively). The mean time to rescue analgesia was comparable in both groups (Group GNB: 820.79 [483.65] min [95% confidence interval {CI}: 603.31–1038.27] and Group ACB: 858.95 [460.06] min [95% CI: 652.08, 1065.82], P = 0.805), and the mean 24-h morphine consumption was also comparable in both groups (P = 1.000). US-guided GNB has an analgesic efficacy similar to US-guided ACB for patients undergoing arthroscopic ACLR.