Continuous Femoral Nerve Block Versus Continuous Epidural Analgesia for Postoperative Analgesia in Knee Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain in knee surgeries hampers rehabilitation and increases morbidity. Continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) and continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) are widely used, but their comparative efficacy remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy, hemodynamic stability, and rescue analgesic requirements of CFNB and CEA in patients undergoing knee surgeries. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 70 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades I and II patients (18-60 years) undergoing elective knee surgeries were randomized into two groups. Group A received CFNB with 0.2% ropivacaine at 6 ml/hr. Group B received CEA with 0.2% ropivacaine at 6 ml/hr. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores were recorded at 0-48 hours postoperatively. Hemodynamic parameters and rescue analgesia were also assessed. RESULTS: Both groups showed comparable VAS scores throughout 48 hours (p > 0.05). At six hours, VAS was 4.06 ± 1.19 in Group A vs. 4.29 ± 0.67 in Group B (p = 0.32). Hemodynamic parameters remained stable, and rescue analgesic requirements were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: CFNB and CEA provide equivalent postoperative analgesia and hemodynamic stability in knee surgeries. Either technique may be chosen based on patient profile and institutional preference.