Riassunto dello studio

80 patients undergoing a total hip arthroplasty were randomized to receive a pericapsular nerve group block (PENG; n=40) or local infiltration analgesia (LIA; n=40). The primary outcome of interest was pain scores at rest and during exercise on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), measured during the first 48 hours post-operation, and post-operative morphine consumption. Secondary outcomes of interest included hip range of motion, daily mobilization, quadriceps strength, length of stay, and the rate of complications. The results showed no significant differences in VAS pain scores at rest or morphine consumption. Moreover, no differences in range of motion, daily mobilization, length of stay, and quadriceps strength during the first 2 days post-operation were observed. However, pain scores during exercise were significantly higher in the PENG group in the first 6 hours, suggesting inferior pain control with PENG vs. LIA.