The Efficacy of a Periarticular Soft Tissue Injection of Bupivacaine and Morphine in Total Hip Arthroplasty: a Prospective Study

Purpose: We wanted to assess the benefits and safety of periarticular soft tissue injection of bupivacaine and morphine in total hip arthroplasty by conducting a prospective randomized trial. Materials and Methods: Between February 2008 and January 2010, a prospective, randomized study was performed on fifty patients with an American Society of Anesthesiology stage of I or II. All the patients were administered COX-2 inhibitor and we used PCEA (Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia) for 24 hours postoperatively. All the patients underwent their operation under general anesthesia. Fifty randomly selected patients were divided into two groups. After reduction of the hip joint, 50 ml of normal saline was intraoperatively injected into 25 patients (Group A) and 50 ml of locally injected analgesia that included 0.5 ml 5 mg of morphine HCL, 40 ml of 0.5% 50 mg chirocaine (Levo-bupivacaine) and 9.5 ml of normal saline was injected into the capsule and the soft tissue and muscle around the hip joint in 25 patients (Group B). The analgesic efficacy was evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively with the patients in a resting state and at 24, 48 and 72 hours postoperatively with the patients in a resting state and during a passive exercise (30 ) state. The consumption of PCEA and additional analgesic drugs was also evaluated postoperatively. Results: Significant differences were found between the 2 groups (P 0.05). Conclusion: Intraoperative periarticular soft tissue injection of bupivacaine and morphine can significantly reduce pain and it can reduce the requirement for patient-controlled analgesia, with no apparent risks, following total hip arthroplasty.