Continuous vs. single-shot adductor canal block for pain management following primary total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Adductor canal block (ACB) provides effective analgesia following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This systematic review aimed to compare continuous and single-shot ACB for pain management and functional recovery following TKA. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and CENTRAL were searched up to January 5th, 2021. Included studies were randomized controlled trials comparing continuous to single-shot ACB for postoperative pain management after primary TKA. Primary outcome was opioid consumption and secondary outcomes were pain intensity, quadriceps strength, mobility, complications, and length of hospital stay. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects method. RESULTS: Eleven studies (910 patients) were included in this systematic review. Continuous ACB did not significantly decrease opioid consumption (8 studies; 642 patients; MD=-5.67; 95% CI: -13.87 to 2.54; I2=13%) but significantly decreased 48hours pain scores (10 studies; 852 patients; MD=-0,73; 95% CI: -0.93 to -0.54; I2=54%). Continuous ACB improved quadriceps strength (4 studies; 250 patients; SMD=0.59; 95% CI: 0.16 to 1.03; I2=63%) but not Timed Up and Go test performance (5 studies; 524 patients; MD=3.99; 95% CI: -8.98 to 1.01; I2=89%). Type of ACB did not affect nausea and vomiting (5 studies; 357 patients; RR=1.23; 95% CI: 0.65 to 2.34; I2=0%) nor length of hospital stay (8 studies; 655 patients; MD=-0.13; 95% CI: -0.28 to 0.01; I2=36%). CONCLUSION: Continuous ACB did not reduce opioid consumption following TKA. Larger trials are required.

Return to Baseline Physical Activity After Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Versus Hamstring Tendon Autografts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and hamstring tendon (HT) autografts are the most utilized grafts for primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The ability of a patient to return to a preinjury level of physical activity is a key consideration in choice of graft; the influence of graft choice on this metric lacks consensus in the literature. PURPOSE: To assess the effects of autograft choice (BPTB vs HT) for primary ACL reconstruction on return to baseline level of physical activity and/or sports participation. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing the use of BPTB and HT autografts for primary ACL reconstruction was conducted. The electronic databases EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science were comprehensively queried through September 23, 2019. The primary outcome was return to preinjury level of activity/sports. Secondary outcomes included knee stability testing (Lachman, KT-1000 arthrometer, and pivot-shift tests) and clinical subjective knee scores (Tegner, Cincinnati, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Lysholm). Two independent reviewers were involved in the screening of titles and abstracts, data extraction, and the assessment of risk of bias. Meta-analyses were performed respecting the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Intervention. RESULTS: A total of 29 studies (N = 3099 patients) were eligible for this review, of which 13 (n = 1029 patients) reported on return to baseline level of sports as an endpoint. The risk ratio (RR) of using BPTB vs HT on return to baseline sport level was 1.03 (0.91-1.17; P = .63). Absence of a positive pivot-shift test was the only secondary outcome, with a statistically significant RR of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.50-0.86) in favor of BPTB autografts (P = .002). CONCLUSION: In reviewing the current literature, no recommendation can be made on the optimal graft choice when using a return to baseline level of physical activity and/or sports participation as a primary metric.