The Effect of the IPACK Block on Pain After Primary TKA: A Double-Blinded, Prospective, Randomized Trial

Matthew E Patterson; Jillian Vitter; Kim Bland; Bobby D Nossaman; Leslie C Thomas; George F Chimento

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2020.01.014

The Effect of the IPACK Block on Pain After Primary TKA: A Double-Blinded, Prospective, Randomized Trial

J Arthroplasty. 2020 Jun;35(6S):S173-S177. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2020.01.014. Epub 2020 Jan 15.

Authors

Matthew E Patterson¹, Jillian Vitter², Kim Bland², Bobby D Nossaman¹, Leslie C Thomas¹, George F Chimento³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA; The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA.
² Department of Anesthesiology, Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA.
³ The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA.

PMID: 32005622
DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2020.01.014

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if infiltration of local anesthetic between the interspace between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee (IPACK) provides benefit in total knee arthroplasty.

Methods: Patients were randomized into continuous adductor canal block with IPACK block or continuous adductor canal block with sham subcutaneous saline injection. Only the anesthesiologist performing the block was aware of randomization status. After surgery, a blinded assessor recorded opioid consumption, pain scores, and gait distance.

Results: There were 35 patients in the IPACK group and 34 in the NO IPACK group. There was no difference demographically between the groups. In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), the average (P = .0122) and worst (P = .0168) pain scores at rest were statistically lower in the IPACK group. There was no difference in the pain scores during physical therapy (P = .2080). There was no difference in opioid consumption in the PACU (P = .7928), or at 24 hours (P = .7456). There was no difference in pain scores on POD 1 in the AM (P = .4597) or PM (P = .6273), or in the walking distance (P = .5197). There was also no difference in length of stay in the PACU (P = .9426) or hospital (P = .2141).

Conclusion: The IPACK group had lower pain scores at rest in the PACU, but this is likely not clinically significant. The routine use of the IPACK is not supported by the results of this study. There may be indications for the use of the IPACK block as a rescue block or in patients who have contraindications to our standard multimodal treatment regimen or in patients with chronic pain or opioid dependence.

Keywords: IPACK; outcomes; pain control; regional anesthesia; total knee.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Analgesics, Opioid
Anesthetics, Local
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* / adverse effects
Humans
Nerve Block*
Pain, Postoperative / epidemiology
Pain, Postoperative / etiology
Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control
Prospective Studies
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Analgesics, Opioid
Anesthetics, Local