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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06402110

Femoral Triangle Block Versus Adductor Canal Block in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative analgesic effect of femoral triangle block (FTB) and adductor canal block (ACB)after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

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Key information

Conditions

Femoral Triangle Block Adductor Canal Block Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Age range

21 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Tanta University

Tanta, El-Gharbia, 31527, Egypt

About this study

The number of patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has risen over the past decade. ACL reconstruction is associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain leading to hypertension, tachycardia, increased O2 demand, and myocardial stress.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age from 21 to 65 years.
  • Both sexes.
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II.
  • Undergoing elective arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Exclusion criteria

  • Revisional surgery.
  • Body mass index (BMI) >35kg/m2.
  • Coagulopathy.
  • Infection at site of intervention.
  • Hypersensitive to the study drugs.
  • Chronic analgesic use.
  • Neuromuscular disease.
  • Drug abuse.
  • Cognitive impairment.

Treatment and study plan

Femoral Triangle Block

Other

Patients will receive femoral triangle block (FTB) at the end of surgery. The probe will be positioned at the level where the medial border of the sartorius muscle intersects the medial border of the adductor longus muscle, a block needle advanced in an in-plane technique into femoral triangle. After negative aspiration, 2ml of saline will be injected to confirm the needle tip position close to the femoral artery then injection of 15ml of bupivacaine 0.25% will be performed.

Adductor canal block

Other

Patients will receive adductor canal block (ACB) at the end of surgery. The probe will be positioned at the point midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the upper pole of the patella. The adductor canal will be located as a hyperechoic structure beneath the Sartorius muscle and a block needle advanced in an in-plane technique toward the target nerve after negative aspiration, 2ml of saline will be injected into adductor canal to confirm the block needle tip within it, the block needle will be advanced with the guidance of ultrasound in an in-plane technique and 15ml bupivacaine 0.25% will be injected.

Primary outcomes

  1. Total morphine consumption

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Rescue analgesia of 3 mg morphine IV will be given if the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) > 3 to be repeated after 30 min if pain persists until the NRS < 4. NRS will be assessed at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24h postoperatively

Secondary outcomes

  1. Time of 1st rescue analgesia

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Postoperatively, all patients will receive paracetamol 1gm/6h and diclofenac sodium 75mg I.M/12h as regular analgesia. Rescue analgesia of 3 mg morphine IV will be given if the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) > 3 to be repeated after 30 min if pain persists until the NRS < 4. NRS will be assessed at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24h postoperatively.

  2. Pain score using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Each patient will be instructed about postoperative pain assessment with the numeric rating scale (NRS) (0 represents "no pain" while 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable"). It will be assessed at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24h postoperatively.

  3. Quadriceps strength

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Quadriceps strength will be assessed at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24h postoperatively. The criteria for evaluation of quadriceps strength are as follow: I (no contraction), II (have contraction, but cannot move joint), III (can move joint, but cannot resist gravity), IV (can resist gravity, but cannot bear substantial resistance), V (can bear a certain intensity of resistance), and VI (can bear full resistance).

  4. Patient satisfaction

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Degree of patient satisfaction will be assessed on a 5-point Likert scale patient satisfaction (1, extremely dissatisfied; 2, unsatisfied; 3, neutral; 4, satisfied; 5, extremely satisfied)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tanta University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Femoral Triangle Block Versus Adductor Canal Block for Analgesia After Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 7, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 31, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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