NERVE BLOCKS FOR PEDIATRIC ACL RECONSTRUCTION: COMPARING FUNCTION, PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES, AND EFFICIENCY

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have compared the use of continuous nerve catheter versus single-shot nerve block approaches to regional anesthesia in ACL Reconstruction (ACLR), but they have primarily focused on adult populations. A paucity of data exists comparing these regional anesthesia techniques in children. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: To compare postoperative pain, strength, and functional outcomes between pediatric ACLR patients undergoing femoral nerve catheter (FNC) placement with single-shot sciatic block and those receiving femoral and sciatic single-shot nerve blocks (SSNB). METHODS: Pediatric patients (≤18 years) undergoing primary ACLR between 1/2018-8/2019 at an urban tertiary care children’s hospital were identified. Patients were grouped based on regional anesthetic technique (FNC vs. SSNB). Emergency department (ED) visits, clinic visits, and calls for uncontrolled pain and narcotic refills were compared between these two groups. Outcomes including PROMIS scores, strength testing, and active range of motion (AROM) were also compared. Multiple imputation analysis was used to reduce bias as a result of missed follow-up. RESULTS: 78 patients met inclusion criteria (FNC-36 patients, SSNB-42 patients). There were no differences in age, sex, BMI, or surgical technique between cohorts (Table I). Block preparation time (p<0.001) and surgical duration (p<0.001) were significantly longer for the FNC group. Ropivacaine dose (mg) of the sciatic nerve block was significantly higher in the SSNB group (35.0 ± 7.5 vs. 30.1 ± 4.1, p=0.001). All SSNB cases were performed at a satellite surgical center compared to 1 (2.8%) FNC case (p<0.001). There were no differences in uncontrolled pain or required narcotic refills between groups, and at 1 week follow-up, the proportion of patients with continued opioid consumption was not different (Table II). At 1 week, SSNB patients reported higher PROMIS physical function - mobility scores (25.5 ± 5.6 vs. 22.1 ± 4.9, p=0.009) with no difference in PROMIS pain interference scores. PROMIS scores were not different between cohorts at 6 weeks, 3 months or 6 months. AROM in extension and flexion also showed no difference between groups. SSNB was associated with a higher hamstrings to quadriceps ratio (quadriceps deficit) at 3 months (77.4 ± 23.8 vs. 66.2 ± 18.0, p=0.028), but there were no differences in isokinetic strength at 6 months. CONCLUSION: SSNB was associated with shorter operative times and better PROMIS physical function – mobility scores at 1 week compared to FNC. No other differences were observed in post-operative pain management, and cohorts were without differences in AROM and isokinetic strength by 6 months. TABLES/FIGURES: