PENG vs L-ESPB With S-ESPB for Analgesia in Total Hip Arthroplasty
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Ropivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution, Ropivacaine 0.2% Injectable Solution, Ropivacaine 0.2% Injectable Solution.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Hip Osteoarthritis, Hip Arthropathy, Hip Pain Chronic. Basic parameters: 65 years — 100 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Poland
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Comparison of Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block Versus Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block (L-ESPB) Combined With Sacral ESPB (S-ESPB) for Analgesia in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA): A Randomized Clinical Trial
Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether different types of regional anesthesia can improve pain control and functional recovery after total hip arthroplasty in adult patients undergoing elective hip replacement surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the PENG block reduce opioid use in the first 48 hours after surgery more effectively than the combined L-ESPB + S-ESPB technique? Which method provides better pain relief, preserves muscle strength, and supports earlier mobilization? Researchers will compare the Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block with the combination of Lumbar and Sacral Erector Spinae Plane Blocks (L-ESPB + S-ESPB) to see which provides better pain control, fewer side effects, and faster recovery. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to receive one of the two types of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia Undergo standard hip replacement surgery under spinal anesthesia Be monitored for pain scores, opioid use, time to first walking, muscle strength, satisfaction, and side effects over the first 48 hours after surgery.
Detailed description
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with moderate-to-severe postoperative pain, which can impair early mobilization and functional recovery. Regional anesthesia techniques, such as the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and the erector spinae plane (ESP) block, have been introduced as motor-sparing alternatives to femoral and lumbar plexus blocks. The PENG block targets articular branches of the femoral, obturator, and accessory obturator nerves, offering effective analgesia with minimal motor blockade. Meanwhile, the lumbar ESPB (L-ESPB) and sacral ESPB (S-ESPB) may provide a broader, yet still motor-sparing, analgesic field by targeting both lumbar and sacral nerve roots involved in hip innervation.
To date, no randomized trial has compared PENG with a dual-level ESP block approach (L-ESPB + S-ESPB) in THA patients.
Interventions
- Drug Ropivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution
All patients will receive standard spinal anesthesia with 0.5% ropivacaine, 10-15 mg intrathecally for total hip arthroplasty. - Drug Ropivacaine 0.2% Injectable Solution
Ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) block, with sham lumbar and sacral ESPBs. PENG block: 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. LFCN block: 5 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. Sham lumbar ESPB: 1-2 mL preservative-free normal saline at lumbar ESPB site. Sham sacral ESPB: 1-2 mL preservative-free normal saline at sacral ESPB site. All patients will receive standard spinal anesthesia with 0.5% ropivacaine, 10-15 mg intrathecally for total hip arthroplasty - Drug Ropivacaine 0.2% Injectable Solution
Ultrasound-guided lumbar erector spinae plane block (L-ESPB) and sacral erector spinae plane block (S-ESPB), with sham PENG and LFCN blocks. Lumbar ESPB: 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine at L3 transverse process level. Sacral ESPB: 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine at sacral intermediate crest. Sham PENG block: 1-2 mL preservative-free normal saline at PENG site. Sham LFCN block: 1-2 mL preservative-free normal saline at LFCN site. All patients will receive standard spinal anesthesia with 0.5% ropivacaine, 10
Primary outcome measures
- Total opioid consumption [Time frame: first 48 hours postoperatively]
Secondary outcome measures (11)
- Pain scores [Time frame: 4 hours after surgery]
- Pain scores [Time frame: 8 hours after surgery]
- Pain scores [Time frame: 12 hours after surgery]
- Pain scores [Time frame: 24 hours after surgery]
- Pain scores [Time frame: 48 hours after surgery]
- Time to ambulation [Time frame: 48 hours after surgery]
- Quadriceps muscle strength [Time frame: 4 hours after surgery]
- Quadriceps muscle strength [Time frame: 8 hours after surgery]
- Quadriceps muscle strength [Time frame: 12 hours after surgery]
- Quadriceps muscle strength [Time frame: 24 hours after surgery]
- Quadriceps muscle strength [Time frame: 48 hours after surgery]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age ≥ 65 years
- ASA physical status I-III
- Elective unilateral THA via posterior or lateral approach
- Informed consent provided
Exclusion criteria
- Allergy to study drugs (ropivacaine, dexamethasone)
- Chronic opioid use (>30 MME/day)
- Coagulopathy or infection at the injection site
- BMI > 40 kg/m²
- Pre-existing motor weakness or neuropathy in the affected limb
- Cognitive impairment precluding informed consent
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Poland · 1 center
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences — Poznan
Publications
- Reysner T, Ciftci B, Alver S, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Reysner M. Comparison of pericapsular nerve group block combined with a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) block versus lumbar and sacral erector spinae plane blocks for analgesia after total hip arthroplasty: study protocol for a randomized, controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. Pain Manag. 2026 May 18:1-8. doi: 10.1080/17581869. PMID 42148589
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07180979 · 03/2025