Effects of Postoperative Continuous Femoral Nerve Block Analgesia with Braun Continuous Peripheral Nerve Block Catheter Set versus Novel Needle-Over-Cannula after Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the novel needle-over-cannula vs. the Braun continuous peripheral nerve block catheter set (Contiplex A) in postoperative analgesics after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were randomly assigned to Braun continuous peripheral nerve block catheter set group (Braun Group, n=30) or the novel needle-over-cannula group (Cannula Group, n=30). All the patients in the 2 groups received continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) for postoperative analgesics. RESULTS We found no significant difference in analgesic effect between the 2 groups. The time of catheter or cannula insertion was shorter in the Cannula Group than in the Braun Group. Four (13.32%) out of 30 patients had failed catheter insertions in the Braun Group compared to none in the Cannula Group. Twelve (46%) out of 26 patients in the Braun Group had serious local anesthetic leakage at puncture sites during 12 h compared to none in the Cannula Group. CONCLUSIONS The novel needle-over-cannula is effective, convenient, and safe in CFNB after TKA.