Effectiveness of pericapsular nerve group block with ultrasonography in patients diagnosed with hip fracture in the emergency department

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures (HF) are among the most common fractures present in the emergency department and are very painful. Pericapsular nerve group block (PENG) is a new regional anesthesia technique developed for analgesia in total hip arthroplasties. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of PENG block used to reduce pain in patients with HF in the emergency department. METHODS: This single-center, randomized, and prospective study was carried out in the emergency department. The patients included in the study were selected according to the suitability of the personnel who will perform the procedure. The sealed envelope system was used for randomization. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was performed with 39 patients (18 patients in the PENG group, 21 patients in the control group). Thirteen (33.3%) of the patients were female and 26 (66.7%) were male. The mean age was 75.3. At rest post-procedure, the mean Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores of the patients at the 30(th) min, 2(nd), 6(th), and 24(th) h were 1.78±1.83, 0.00±0.00, 0.00±0.00, and 1.28±1.41 in the PENG group. On the other hand, it was 3.38±1.86, 0.05±0.22, 2.86±2.37, and 4.95±1.47 in the control group, respectively. The mean NRS scores of the patients at 15° elevation of the leg at the 30(th) min, 2(nd), 6(th), and 24(th) h were 3.06±1.80, 0.06±0.24, 0.22±0.43, and 2.44±1.50 in the PENG group and it was 5.24±1.81, 1.05±0.92, 4.29±2.35, and 7.14±1.24 in the control group, respectively. CONCLUSION: PENG block can reduce pain and the need for systemic analgesics as a practical option in patients with HF.