Does time to surgery for traumatic hip fracture impact the efficacy of fascia iliaca blocks? A brief report.

Objectives: Outcomes after traumatic hip fracture have shown to be significantly improved with timely surgical management. This study determined whether there were differences in efficacy of fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) on pain outcomes in patients with hip fracture, once stratified by time to surgery. Methods: Trauma patients (55-90 years) admitted to five Level I/II trauma centers within 12 hours of hip fracture were included. Patients with coagulopathy, significant multi-trauma (injury severity score >16), bilateral hip fractures, and postoperative FICBs were excluded. The primary exposure was analgesia modality: adjunctive FICB or systemic analgesics (no FICB). Study endpoints were incidence of delirium through 48 hours postoperatively (%), preoperative and postoperative oral morphine equivalents (OMEs), and preoperative and postoperative pain (0-10 scale). Adjusted regression models were used to examine the effect of FICB on outcomes; all models were stratified by time from arrival to surgery, ≤24 hours (earlier surgery; n=413) and >24 hours (later surgery; n=143). Results: FICB use was similar with earlier and later surgery (70.2% vs 76.2%), and there were no demographic differences by utilization of FICB, by time to surgery. In the earlier surgery group, preoperative pain was lower for patients with FICB versus no FICB (3.6 vs 4.5, p<0.001), with no difference by FICB for delirium (OR 1.00, p>0.99) or OMEs (p=0.75 preoperative, p=0.91 postoperative). In the later surgery group, there was a nearly twofold reduction in preoperative OMEs with FICB than no FICB (25.5 mg vs 45.2 mg, p=0.04), with no differences for delirium (OR 4.21, p=0.18), pain scores (p=0.25 preoperative, p=0.27 postoperative), and postoperative OMEs (p=0.34). Conclusions: Compared with systemic analgesia, FICB resulted in improved pain scores at the preoperative assessment among patients with earlier surgery, whereas FICB reduced opioid consumption over the preoperative period only when surgery was later than 24 hours from arrival. Level of evidence: II, prospective, therapeutic.

Associations of Smoking With Delirium and Opioid Use in Older Adults With Traumatic Hip Fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for hip fractures, while risk factors for developing delirium include older age and preexisting cognitive impairment. We sought to determine whether smoking status is independently associated with delirium and pain outcomes. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational cohort study of 442 older adults (65 to 90 years) admitted for traumatic hip fracture at five trauma centers. The primary exposure was smoking status (n = 43, 10%). Additional risk factors included demographics, injury characteristics, and medical interventions. Delirium (primary) and analgesia-related complications were examined with multivariable logistic regression, while analysis of covariance models were used to examine preoperative and postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption (oral morphine equivalents). RESULTS: Smokers had significantly worse outcomes compared with nonsmokers: delirium incidence was 16.3% versus 5.0% (adjusted odds ratio, 4.23; P = 0.005), analgesia complications developed in 30.2% versus 14.8% (adjusted odds ratio, 2.63; P = 0.01), and postoperative opioid consumption was greater (53 mg versus 33 mg, adjusted P = 0.04). Adjusted pain scores were not different between groups. DISCUSSION: Smoking status is associated with markedly worse outcomes in older adults with traumatic hip fracture. Smoking status should be considered in pain management protocols and for early screening and delirium prevention methods. DATA AVAILABILITY: On reasonable request.

A multi-institutional prospective observational study to evaluate fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) for preventing delirium in adults with hip fracture.

Objectives: Until recently, systemic opioids have been standard care for acute pain management of geriatric hip fracture; however, opioids increase risk for delirium. Fascia Iliaca compartment blocks (FICB) may be favored to systemic analgesia for reducing delirium, but this has not been well demonstrated. We evaluated the efficacy of adjunctive FICB versus systemic analgesia on delirium incidence, opioid consumption, and pain scores. Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study was performed in patients (55-90 years) with traumatic hip fracture admitted to five trauma centers within 12 hours of injury, enrolled between January 2019 and November 2020. The primary end point was development of delirium, defined by the Confusion Assessment Method tool, from arrival through 48 hours postoperatively, and analyzed with multivariate Firth logistic regression. Secondary end points were analyzed with analysis of covariance models and included preoperative and postoperative oral morphine equivalents and pain numeric rating scale scores. Results: There were 517 patients enrolled, 381 (74%) received FICB and 136 (26%) did not. Delirium incidence was 5.4% (n=28) and was similar for patients receiving FICB versus no FICB (FICB, 5.8% and no FICB, 4.4%; adjusted OR: 1.2 (95% CI 0.5 to 3.0), p=0.65). Opioid requirements were similar for patients receiving FICB and no FICB, preoperatively (p=0.75) and postoperatively (p=0.51). Pain scores were significantly lower with FICB than no FICB, preoperatively (4.2 vs 5.1, p=0.002) and postoperatively (2.9 vs 3.5, p=0.04). Conclusions: FICB demonstrated significant benefit on self-reported pain but without a concomitant reduction in opioid consumption. Regarding delirium incidence, these findings suggest clinical equipoise and the need for a randomized trial. Level of evidence: II-prospective, therapeutic.