Adductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty: a scoping review of the literature
Authors' conclusion
This scoping review has identified variation in the use of medications, doses, techniques, and adjuncts for adductor canal block. As such, definitive conclusions regarding the most effective practice for adductor canal block cannot be made.
Study context
- Population
- Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty130 RCTs
- Comparison
- Adductor canal block techniques, medications and adjuncts, and vs other nerve block techniques
Methodological detailsFour databases searched (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov); 285 articles found
- Four databases searched (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov); 285 articles found
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Efficacy and safety of adductor canal block
- Adductor canal block safe and potentially effective for reducing postoperative pain after TKA while preserving motor function
- Dexamethasone or dexmedetomidine as adjunct provide additional analgesic benefit
- Adductor canal block combined with peri-articular local anaesthetic injection provides the best outcomes
- Continuous catheter infusion provides no additional benefit over single injection
- Site of injection does not seem to affect efficacy
- No evidence for superiority of any single local anaesthetic agent
Original publication
Adductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty: a scoping review of the literature. BJA Open. Published 18 March 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →