Local infiltration analgesia with levobupivacaine compared with intrathecal morphine in total hip arthroplasty patients

60 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) under spinal anesthesia were included in this study to compare the occurrence of adverse outcomes between two analgesic treatments. Patients were randomized to receive either local infiltration analgesia (LIA) or intrathecal morphine (it-M) after THA. When examined during the first 48 hours post-operatively, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse events between LIA and it-M. Patients receiving LIA demonstrated slightly better early mobilization at 6 hours but this difference was not sustained at subsequent time points.