Comparative Evaluation of Femoral Nerve Block & Intravenous Fentanly for Positioning During Spinal Anesthesia in Surgery of Femur Fractures

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Femur fractures configure an important publichealth issue and are associated with high mortality taxes andlose of functionality. Study aimed to compare the analgesiceffects of FNB with intravenous (IV) fentanyl prior topositioning for spinal block in patients with fractured femur.Material and Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for fracturedfemur surgery under spinal block. They were grouped as FNBgroup (n=30) and a fentanyl group (n=30). A spinal block wasperformed. Pain scores 15 minutes after analgesia and duringpositioning were recorded. A numeric rating pain scale (0 =no pain, 10 = maximal pain) was used. Additional fentanylrequirement during positioning and satisfaction with patientposition maintained for spinal block (yes = satisfactory, no =not satisfactory) were also recorded.Results: Base line values for Heart Rate (HR), Mean ArterialPressure (MAP) and type of surgery were comparable inboth the groups. We found an insignificant difference in HR(P>0.001) among the groups and a significantly lower MAPin FENT group (P = 0.0090). SpO2 was significantly lower inFENT group (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Femoral nerve block lowers pain and the needfor supplementary analgesia requirement