Clinical efficacy of adductor canal block in medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy

Abstract

BackgroundTo evaluate the effect of adductor canal block (ACB) on short-term postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) compared to that of a placebo. Methods35 patients who underwent unilateral MOWHTO between 2017 and 2019 were prospectively reviewed and randomly divided into two groups: 19 patients who received a single-shot ACB and 16 patients who received a saline injection (a placebo group). Primary outcomes were (1) pain measured using the visual analog scale and range of motion, (2) patient satisfaction, (3) postoperative need for additional opioids, (3) quadriceps strength (the time to straight leg raising [SLR]), (4) clinical outcomes, and (5) complications. ResultsThe pain score was lower in the ACB group than in the placebo group in the first 12 h (p = 0.04). ACB did not exhibit significantly less quadriceps strength weakness postoperatively. There was no statistical difference in the time to SLR (23.5 ± 17.7 h in ACB vs. 27.6 ± 11.4 in placebo, p = 0.520). The opioid consumption rate within postoperative 12 h was significantly decreased after ACB (16.7% in ACB, 70% in placebo, p = 0.017). The proportion of patients with more than 5 opioid injections within 72 h postoperatively was lower in the ACB group (8.3% in ACB, 50% in placebo, p = 0.043). Both groups did not show any localized and systemic complications. ConclusionACB following MOWHTO exhibited better outcomes than a placebo with respect to opioid consumption with no changes in the quadriceps strength and complications. Level of EvidenceII, Prospectively comparative study