Study Summary

90 patients undergoing hip fracture surgery were randomized to receive either a pericapsular nerve group block (PENG) or an anterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB) following surgery. After exclusions related to postoperative complications, prolonged ICU stay, protocol deviations, and inability to perform the block, 73 patients were included in the final analysis, with 43 patients in the PENG group and 30 patients in the anterior QLB group. The primary outcome of interest was total tramadol consumption within the first 48 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes included time to first rescue analgesia, resting and dynamic Numeric Rating Scale pain scores at 2, 12, 24, and 48 hours, and block-related adverse effects, including quadriceps weakness and nausea. Outcomes were assessed during the first 48 hours postoperatively. Overall, the results of the study revealed that patients receiving the PENG block required significantly less opioid analgesia and experienced a longer duration before first rescue analgesia compared with those receiving the anterior QLB, while pain scores were comparable between groups.