Bilateral fascia iliaca catheters for postoperative pain control after bilateral total knee arthroplasty: a case report and description of a catheter technique.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The pain following total knee arthroplasty can be associated with significant morbidity, especially in the elderly. Regional anesthetic techniques attenuate or eliminate postoperative pain, which may reduce this morbidity.

METHODS

A 74-year-old patient with history of an epidural abscess underwent elective bilateral total knee arthroplasty for degenerative joint disease. Bilateral lumbar plexus catheters were placed via the fascia iliaca compartments. Lidocaine was infused postoperative through both catheters, and serum lidocaine levels were followed.

RESULTS

The patient received significant postoperative pain relief based on physical and subjective examination. There were no complications or untoward effects related to the technique.

CONCLUSION

Lumbar plexus blockade with continuous local anesthetic infusion via the fascia iliaca compartment is an effective means of providing postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty when epidural analgesia is contraindicated.