Effectiveness of continuous versus single injection femoral nerve block for total knee arthroplasty: A double blinded, randomized trial.

Background: Effective analgesia following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is important for maximizing patient satisfaction, early participation in physical therapy and reducing the hospital stay. This trial compared continuous catheter femoral nerve block (cFNB) to single injection femoral nerve block (sFNB) in terms of analgesia, opioid consumption, and participation in physical therapy and associated side effects.

Methods: This randomized, double blinded trial was conducted in a non-university hospital setting, without major changes to anesthesia or surgical clinical pathways.

Effects of tranexamic acid and bipolar sealer alone or in combination in primary total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare 2 blood management interventions, tranexamic acid (TXA) and bipolar sealer system (BSS) used independently or in combination with a control group during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: A total of 127 TKA patients were enrolled and randomized into 4 groups: Intravenous TXA plus the BSS (N = 29, group 1); TXA only (N = 29, group 2); BSS only (N = 31, group 3); and intravenous normal saline as a control group (N = 32, group 4).

Results: Changes in hemoglobin from baseline to postoperative follow-up were significantly lower among patients who received TXA plus BSS and those receiving TXA only when compared with the control.