By Monica Jaramillo
Results of this prospective randomized controlled trial showed patients who underwent surgery for an ankle fracture and had perioperative analgesia by way of a continuous peripheral nerve block experienced lower pain scores and took fewer pain pills than patients who had single-shot peripheral nerve block.
The study included 21 patients who were randomized to receive general anesthesia with a single-shot peripheral nerve block and 23 patients who had general anesthesia with a continuous peripheral nerve block using I-Flow’s On-Q pump. Investigators used the VAS to assess postoperative pain and satisfaction before patients were discharged from the postoperative care unit. At 7, hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after surgery patients were contacted to evaluate their pain medication use and Numeric Pain Rating Scale score. Patients were evaluated for pain, infection, satisfaction and residual neurologic symptoms at 2-weeks, 6-weeks and 12-weeks postoperatively. 