The Impact of Epinephrine in the Periarticular Injection Cocktail using Ropivacaine for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Comparison Study.

BACKGROUND: Epinephrine is used in periarticular injection using ropivacaine to produce a synergistic effect when used with local anesthetic agents but the effect has not been proven yet. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how effective epinephrine is on postoperative clinical outcomes in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: One hundred sixteen cases (89 patients) who underwent primary TKA were randomized into 2 groups depending on whether epinephrine was mixed. Immediately after the operation, patient-controlled analgesia using fentanyl was initiated. The Numerical Rating Scale, the cumulative dose of fentanyl, active range of motion of the knee joint, and wound complications were evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mean postoperative Numerical Rating Scale, cumulative dose of fentanyl, and active range of motion between the 2 groups. Neither skin necrosis nor wound dehiscence requiring operative management for skin care was required in either group. CONCLUSION: The use of epinephrine in periarticular injection using ropivacaine after TKA did not have any effect on postoperative acute pain control and opioid usage. THE LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level I.

The effect of zoledronic acid on the volume of the fusion-mass in lumbar spinal fusion.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored the effects of bisphosphonates on bony healing in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. Most previous studies used animal models and found that bisphosphonate shows negative effects on spinal fusion consolidation. We intended to evaluate the effect of a single-dose of zoledronic acid on the volume of the fusion-mass in lumbar spinal fusion. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out on 44 patients with symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent one or two-level posterolateral fusion from January 2008 and January 2011. They were divided into 4 groups: group 1, autograft and zoledronic acid; group 2, allograft and zoledronic acid; group 3, autograft alone; and group 4, allograft alone. Functional radiography and three-dimensional computed tomography scans were used to evaluate and quantify the volume of the fusion-mass. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the short form 36 (SF-36) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The mean volume of the fusion-mass per level was 8,814 mm(3), 8,035 mm(3), 8,383 mm(3), and 7,550 mm(3) in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, but there were no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.829). There were no significant decreases in the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.533) in the zoledronic acid groups (groups 1 and 2). The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 at the 6-month follow-up after surgery were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the 4 groups. The VAS, the ODI, and the SF-36 were not correlated with the volume of the fusion-mass (p = 0.120, 0.609, 0.642). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of zoledronic acid does not decrease the volume of the fusion-mass in patients undergoing spinal fusion with osteoporosis. Therefore, we recommend that zoledronic acid may be used after spinal fusion in osteoporotic patients.