NCT07288983

PENG Block vs Suprainguinal FICB vs Lumbar ESPB for Analgesia After Hip Surgery

A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial Comparing the Analgesic Efficacy and Motor-Sparing Properties of the Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block, Suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (S-FICB), and Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block (L-ESPB) in Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroplasty

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 93 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Poznan University of Medical Sciences · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years – 100 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial compares three motor-sparing regional anesthesia techniques used for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty: the Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block, the suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (S-FICB), and the Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block (L-ESPB). Although all three techniques are widely used in modern hip surgery, their relative analgesic efficacy, opioid-sparing potential, and impact on early functional recovery have not been directly compared in a single study. The primary objective is to determine which block provides the most effective postoperative analgesia while preserving motor function and facilitating early mobilization. Secondary objectives include comparisons of opioid consumption, pain scores at rest and during movement, time to first rescue analgesia, block-related adverse events, quadriceps strength, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and early functional outcomes. This study aims to identify the optimal motor-sparing regional anesthesia strategy for older adults undergoing hip arthroplasty.

Detailed description

Regional anesthesia plays a key role in modern multimodal analgesia for hip arthroplasty, particularly in older adults who are vulnerable to opioid-related adverse effects and postoperative functional decline. Several motor-sparing nerve block techniques have been developed to improve postoperative pain control while maintaining quadriceps strength and enabling early mobilization. Among them, the Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block, the suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (S-FICB), and the Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block (L-ESPB) are widely used in clinical practice. However, no randomized clinical trial has directly compared these three approaches within a single study population. The PENG block targets the articular branches of the femoral, obturator, and accessory obturator nerves, providing selective analgesia of the anterior hip capsule with minimal motor involvement. The suprainguinal FICB delivers a higher spread of local anesthetic over the femoral nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and variable portions of the obturator nerve, offering broader sensory coverage but with a higher likelihood of quadriceps weakness. The lumbar ESPB is a posterior fascial plane block that may achieve indirect spread toward the lumbar plexus, potentially providing balanced anterior and posterior capsular analgesia while preserving motor function. This randomized, double-blinded, three-arm controlled trial aims to compare the analgesic effectiveness, opioid-sparing properties, and motor-sparing characteristics of PENG, S-FICB, and L-ESPB in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. All participants will receive standardized spinal anesthesia and multimodal postoperative analgesia. The study's primary endpoint is the time to first rescue opioid administration. Secondary outcomes include total postoperative opioid consumption, pain scores at rest and during movement, quadriceps muscle strength, block performance time, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, early mobilization parameters, and block-related adverse events. The results of this trial are expected to clarify the relative benefits and limitations of the three most commonly used motor-sparing regional anesthesia techniques for hip surgery and to guide optimal selection of blocks for enhanced recovery pathways in older adults undergoing hip arthroplasty.

Conditions

• Hip Osteoarthritis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block	The Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block will be performed under ultrasound guidance using a curvilinear or linear transducer. A 22-gauge echogenic needle will be advanced in-plane toward the fascial plane between the iliopsoas tendon and the pelvic brim at the level of the anterior inferior iliac spine. A total of 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine will be injected incrementally with repeated aspiration to avoid intravascular injection. No additional peripheral nerve blocks will be performed. All patients will receive standardized spinal anesthesia and multimodal postoperative analgesia.
PROCEDURE	Suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (S-FICB)	The suprainguinal fascia iliaca compartment block will be performed under ultrasound guidance using a high-frequency linear probe placed in the sagittal oblique plane above the inguinal ligament. After identifying the fascia iliaca above the iliacus muscle, a 22-gauge echogenic needle will be advanced in-plane into the suprainguinal fascia iliaca space. A total of 30 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine will be injected to achieve cranial spread toward the femoral nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and obturator nerve. All patients will receive standardized spinal anesthesia and multimodal postoperative analgesia.
PROCEDURE	Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block (L-ESPB)	The lumbar erector spinae plane block will be performed under ultrasound guidance at the L4 transverse process level. A curvilinear or linear ultrasound probe will be used to identify the erector spinae muscle and underlying transverse process. A 22-gauge echogenic needle will be inserted in-plane and advanced to the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process. A total of 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine will be injected incrementally. No sacral ESPB will be added. All patients will receive standardized spinal anesthesia and multimodal postoperative analgesia.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-06
• Primary completion: 2027-01-01
• Completion: 2027-01-31
• First posted: 2025-12-17
• Last updated: 2026-03-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Poland