Eficacia analgésica del bloqueo del grupo de nervios pericapsulares (PENG) en comparación con el bloqueo de la fascia ilíaca (FIB) en pacientes mayores con fractura de fémur proximal en la unidad de urgencias. Ensayo controlado aleatorizado

Abstract

Introduction and objectivesData on the efficacy of PENG (Pericapsular Nerve Group) block in hip trauma pain are scarce. We hypothesized that PENG block was more effective than infra-inguinal ultrasound-guided FIB (Fascia Iliaca block) for pain control in patients aged 65 years or older presenting in the emergency room (ER) with traumatic proximal femoral fracture. Materials and methodsWe conducted an exploratory, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. One anaesthesiologist performed the block and another assessed outcomes.Patients were randomly allocated to the PENG group (20ml ropivacaine 0.375%) or the infrainguinal FIB group (40ml ropivacaine 0.2%). Standard hypothesis tests (t test or χ2 test) were performed to analyse baseline characteristics and outcome parameters. The primary end-point of the study was analgesic success, defined as «NRS pain score≤4» 30min after blockade, with PENG vs to FIB. Secondary outcomes were pain at rest («pain at rest NRS score≤4» 30min after blockade), duration of analgesia (time to first request for analgesia), need for rescue medication in case of block failure, and complications during blockade. ResultsAfter obtaining ethical committee approval and written informed consent, 60 patients were included.The primary endpoint was achieved in 16 out of 30 patients (53.3%) in the PENG group and in 15 out of 28 patients (53.6%) in the FIB group. Comparison between groups did not show superiority of the PENG vs FIB (p=0.98). ConclusionsPENG block does not provide better pain than FIB in proximal femoral fracture in elderly patients treated in the ER.