Preoperative Pericapsular Nerve Group Block Results in Less Pain, Decreased Narcotic Use, and Quicker Discharge Time Than No Block in Patients Who Were Surgically Treated for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block for patients surgically treated for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment of FAIS either with or without preoperative PENG block by a single surgeon were retrospectively identified. Twenty-five patients who received PENG block were matched 1:1 by age, sex, body mass index, and procedure to 25 patients who received no block (NB). A retrospective review of the medical records of consecutive patients undergoing the PENG block was performed. Outcome measures of postanesthesia care unit visual analog scale initial (PACU VAS-initial), maximum (PACU VAS-max), discharge (PACU VAS-discharge), intraoperative fentanyl, pain medications in morphine equivalents (ME), and PACU to discharge times were recorded. Results: Twenty-five patients undergoing a PENG block and 25 patients who did not undergo a block (NB) were identified. No significant differences observed between age, sex, body mass index, surgery time, or procedures performed between the PENG and NB groups, P >. 05. Significantly less VAS-initial was observed in the PENG group 3.7 ± 3.2, versus 5.5 ± 2.9 in the NB group, P = .04. Fentanyl usage intraoperatively was 137.3 ± 53.3 μg versus 108.5 ± 39.6 μg in NB versus PENG group respectively, P = .04. Narcotic use was 50.29 ± 11.2 ME versus 34.3 ± 12.1 ME in NB versus PENG group respectively, P = .001. PACU to discharge time was 95.8 ± 31 minutes versus 81.5 ± 19 minutes in NB versus PENG group, respectively, P = .05. No patient in the PENG group demonstrated a motor nerve palsy. Conclusions: For patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS, the addition of a preoperative PENG block showed a significant decrease in initial PACU pain, PACU narcotic consumption, intraoperative fentanyl usage, and quicker time to discharge without complications when compared to a no block, post-free control group. Level of Evidence: III, retrospective cohort study.