Popliteal blocks are more effective than general anesthesia alone for pain control during open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures, according to an Ortho SuperSite report.
Patients may experience rebound pain eight to 24 hours postoperatively, a condition that doesn't occur with general anesthesia. Postoperative pain management after ankle fixation often requires narcotic administration and even overnight hospitalization, but previous studies have shown that regional blocks are successful in up to 97 percent of patients.
The researchers, who presented their results at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association 27th Annual Meeting, conducted a randomized study of 43 patients undergoing ORIF for ankle fractures. They randomized patients to receive either a popliteal block or intravenous sedation and general anesthesia, then quantified pain at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively.
By 24 hours postoperatively, patients who received popliteal blocks had significantly greater pain than the other patients.
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Patients may experience rebound pain eight to 24 hours postoperatively, a condition that doesn't occur with general anesthesia. Postoperative pain management after ankle fixation often requires narcotic administration and even overnight hospitalization, but previous studies have shown that regional blocks are successful in up to 97 percent of patients.
The researchers, who presented their results at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association 27th Annual Meeting, conducted a randomized study of 43 patients undergoing ORIF for ankle fractures. They randomized patients to receive either a popliteal block or intravenous sedation and general anesthesia, then quantified pain at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively.
By 24 hours postoperatively, patients who received popliteal blocks had significantly greater pain than the other patients.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Type of General Anesthesia Does Not Increase Delirium in Post-Op Period
World-Renowned Anesthesiologists Debate Over Cause of Michael Jackson's Death
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