Original Research
Use of Femoral Nerve Blocks in Adolescents Undergoing Patellar Realignment Surgery
Am J Orthop. 2008 January;37(1):39-43
Author and Disclosure Information
Scott J. Luhmann, MD, Mario Schootman, PhD, Perry L. Schoenecker, MD, J. Eric Gordon, MD, and Charles Schrock, MD
Dr. Luhmann is Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, and Assistant Professor, Pediatric Orthopedics, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Schootman is Associate Professor, Division of Health Behavioral Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Schoenecker is Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, and Acting Surgeon In-Chief, Pediatric Orthopedics, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Gordon is Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, and Director of Clinical Services, Pediatric Orthopedics, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Schrock is Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of femoral nerve blocks (FNBs) in decreasing postoperative narcotic use in adolescents undergoing patellar realignment surgery (PRS). All patients who underwent PRS at 2 children’s hospitals between 1998 and 2002 were included in the study. Patients were grouped according to postoperative analgesia: FNB (n = 14), as-needed intravenous morphine (PRN-IV; n = 16), or patient-controlled analgesia using morphine (PCA; n = 13). Total postoperative IV morphine use was statistically significantly different among the 3 groups: 9.0 mg for FNB, 26.43 mg for PRN- IV, and 64.7 mg for PCA. FNB use was effective in significantly decreasing postoperative IV narcotic use.