Comparative analysis of adductor canal block combined with iPACK block versus femoral combined with sciatic nerve blocks: a propensity score matched study

Abstract Background Nerve blocks are effective in reducing postoperative opioid use and enhancing rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty. However, few studies compare the analgesic efficacy and functional recovery of adductor canal block (ACB) combined with infiltration between the poplite...

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Main Authors: Chao-Hsien Sung, Jen-Hao Liu, Chi-Feng Hung, Chun-Hsien Fu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Anesthesiology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03112-z
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author Chao-Hsien Sung
Jen-Hao Liu
Chi-Feng Hung
Chun-Hsien Fu
author_facet Chao-Hsien Sung
Jen-Hao Liu
Chi-Feng Hung
Chun-Hsien Fu
author_sort Chao-Hsien Sung
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Nerve blocks are effective in reducing postoperative opioid use and enhancing rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty. However, few studies compare the analgesic efficacy and functional recovery of adductor canal block (ACB) combined with infiltration between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the knee (iPACK) versus sciatic and femoral nerve blocks (S + F). This study hypothesized that ACB combined with iPACK (A + I) provides comparable analgesia to S + F with superior motor recovery. Methods Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained acute pain service database. After exclusion criteria were applied, 126 patients were analyzed. Propensity-score matching balanced baseline characteristics between the A + I and S + F groups. Numeric rating scale (NRS) scores at different time points were primary outcome. Motor function analysis, including the motor blockade, maximum flexion angle and time to ambulation were secondary outcomes. Results After propensity score matching, patients in the A + I group reported significantly lower NRS pain scores in the post-anesthetic care unit (1.00 ± 0.72 vs. 1.52 ± 1.34; P = 0.026) and on postoperative day 1 at rest (0.66 ± 0.71 vs. 1.07 ± 0.95; P = 0.025) and during movement (1.75 ± 0.75 vs. 2.43 ± 1.19; P = 0.002). Movement-associated pain on postoperative day 2 was also lower in the A + I group (1.45 ± 0.66 vs. 2.34 ± 0.91; P < 0.001). The A + I group exhibited significantly less motor blockade (P < 0.001) and achieved earlier ambulation (1551.75 ± 379.98 vs. 2031.95 ± 764.77 min; P < 0.001). Conclusions The A + I regimen demonstrated superior analgesic efficacy, reduced motor blockade, and earlier ambulation compared to S + F in TKA patients. These findings support the use of A + I for improved recovery. Trial registration This trial was registered before collection of data and analysis at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06521619). Date of registration: 2024-07-26.
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spelling doaj-art-66769eec13764fc8a32e7cf938d63b992025-08-20T03:10:32ZengBMCBMC Anesthesiology1471-22532025-05-0125111110.1186/s12871-025-03112-zComparative analysis of adductor canal block combined with iPACK block versus femoral combined with sciatic nerve blocks: a propensity score matched studyChao-Hsien Sung0Jen-Hao Liu1Chi-Feng Hung2Chun-Hsien Fu3Division of Anesthesiology, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic UniversityDivision of Anesthesiology, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic UniversitySchool of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic UniversityDivision of Anesthesiology, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic UniversityAbstract Background Nerve blocks are effective in reducing postoperative opioid use and enhancing rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty. However, few studies compare the analgesic efficacy and functional recovery of adductor canal block (ACB) combined with infiltration between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the knee (iPACK) versus sciatic and femoral nerve blocks (S + F). This study hypothesized that ACB combined with iPACK (A + I) provides comparable analgesia to S + F with superior motor recovery. Methods Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained acute pain service database. After exclusion criteria were applied, 126 patients were analyzed. Propensity-score matching balanced baseline characteristics between the A + I and S + F groups. Numeric rating scale (NRS) scores at different time points were primary outcome. Motor function analysis, including the motor blockade, maximum flexion angle and time to ambulation were secondary outcomes. Results After propensity score matching, patients in the A + I group reported significantly lower NRS pain scores in the post-anesthetic care unit (1.00 ± 0.72 vs. 1.52 ± 1.34; P = 0.026) and on postoperative day 1 at rest (0.66 ± 0.71 vs. 1.07 ± 0.95; P = 0.025) and during movement (1.75 ± 0.75 vs. 2.43 ± 1.19; P = 0.002). Movement-associated pain on postoperative day 2 was also lower in the A + I group (1.45 ± 0.66 vs. 2.34 ± 0.91; P < 0.001). The A + I group exhibited significantly less motor blockade (P < 0.001) and achieved earlier ambulation (1551.75 ± 379.98 vs. 2031.95 ± 764.77 min; P < 0.001). Conclusions The A + I regimen demonstrated superior analgesic efficacy, reduced motor blockade, and earlier ambulation compared to S + F in TKA patients. These findings support the use of A + I for improved recovery. Trial registration This trial was registered before collection of data and analysis at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06521619). Date of registration: 2024-07-26.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03112-zAdductor canal blockiPACKTotal knee arthroplastiesPostoperative analgesiaMotor function recoveriesNerve block
spellingShingle Chao-Hsien Sung
Jen-Hao Liu
Chi-Feng Hung
Chun-Hsien Fu
Comparative analysis of adductor canal block combined with iPACK block versus femoral combined with sciatic nerve blocks: a propensity score matched study
BMC Anesthesiology
Adductor canal block
iPACK
Total knee arthroplasties
Postoperative analgesia
Motor function recoveries
Nerve block
title Comparative analysis of adductor canal block combined with iPACK block versus femoral combined with sciatic nerve blocks: a propensity score matched study
title_full Comparative analysis of adductor canal block combined with iPACK block versus femoral combined with sciatic nerve blocks: a propensity score matched study
title_fullStr Comparative analysis of adductor canal block combined with iPACK block versus femoral combined with sciatic nerve blocks: a propensity score matched study
title_full_unstemmed Comparative analysis of adductor canal block combined with iPACK block versus femoral combined with sciatic nerve blocks: a propensity score matched study
title_short Comparative analysis of adductor canal block combined with iPACK block versus femoral combined with sciatic nerve blocks: a propensity score matched study
title_sort comparative analysis of adductor canal block combined with ipack block versus femoral combined with sciatic nerve blocks a propensity score matched study
topic Adductor canal block
iPACK
Total knee arthroplasties
Postoperative analgesia
Motor function recoveries
Nerve block
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03112-z
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AT chifenghung comparativeanalysisofadductorcanalblockcombinedwithipackblockversusfemoralcombinedwithsciaticnerveblocksapropensityscorematchedstudy
AT chunhsienfu comparativeanalysisofadductorcanalblockcombinedwithipackblockversusfemoralcombinedwithsciaticnerveblocksapropensityscorematchedstudy