European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Fractures of the femur commonly affect femoral neck, intertrochanteric or sub-trochanteric area of femur, These fractures are almost always associated with significant soft-tissue injury, causing severe pain to patients. These patients require analgesia for positioning for spinal block.
Material and Methods: A total of 62 patients were included in the study. They were randomly allocated into two groups. Randomization was done using computerized random number tables.
1.Group FICB were administered ultrasound guided FICB preoperatively.
2.Group FENT were administered IV fentanyl preoperatively in incremental dosage
Results: Both the groups were comparable in terms of age and BMI distribution ,VAS score comparison at 0 minutes didn’t revealed any significant differences at 95% confidence interval (P= 0.85263). VAS score at 15 minutes post procedure interestingly showed a strong statistical significant differences between the groups, with lower mean values in FICB groups (P< 0.0001). The patient position satisfaction status was significantly higher in FICB group compared to FENT group by a percentage difference of 16.00 (16% higher). The mean time to perform subarachnoid block was significantly shorter in FICB group compared to FENT group by a mean difference of 58s (16% shorter) (P < 0.0001). The mean heart rate was significantly lower in FENT group compared to FICB group by a mean difference of 6 beats per minute.There was no statistical difference between the groups with respect to SpO2 and MAP.T he first postoperative analgesic need between FICB group (mean=5.75, SD=0.75) and FENT group (mean=1.45, SD=0.60) with a p value of <0.05 as per unpaired t test. 
Conclusion: Ultrasound guided FICB is more efficacious than i.v. fentanyl for positioning during spinal anaesthesia.