Adductor canal blocks: changing practice patterns and associated quality profile

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Femoral nerve blocks have been the gold standard approach for post-operative analgesia following total knee arthroplasty; however, the adductor canal block has recently gained popularity due to less block-induced motor weakness. The primary aim of this time-series analysis was to identify whether regional anesthesia practice changes have occurred for total knee arthroplasty. Our secondary aim was to assess for possible associated changes in safety and quality. METHODS: Using a 20-member clinical registry, we examined the practice patterns and safety around the performance of adductor canal blocks for all total knee arthroplasties between 18 July 2011 to 9 October 2015. To obtain ..