Open AccessA randomised controlled trial for the effectiveness of intra‐articular Ropivacaine and Bupivacaine on pain after knee arthroscopy: the DUPRA (DUtch Pain Relief after Arthroscopy)‐trial
Author(s) -
Campo M. M.,
Kerkhoffs G. M. M. J.,
Sierevelt I. N.,
Weeseman R. R.,
Van der Vis H. M.,
Albers G. H. R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.806
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1433-7347
pISSN - 0942-2056
DOI - 10.1007/s00167-011-1562-5
Subject(s) - medicine , ropivacaine , knee arthroscopy , bupivacaine , arthroscopy , surgery , randomized controlled trial , pain relief , anesthesia
Purpose In this double‐blinded, randomised clinical trial, the aim was to compare the analgesic effects of low doses of intra‐articular Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine against placebo after knee arthroscopy performed under general anaesthesia. Methods A total of 282 patients were randomised to 10 cc NaCl 0.9%, 10 cc Bupivacaine 0.5% or 10 cc Ropivacaine 0.75%. Patients received the assigned therapy by intra‐articular injection after closure of the portal. Pain and satisfaction were measured at one, 4 h and 5–7 days after arthroscopy with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) ‐scores. NSAID consumption was also recorded. Results One‐h NRS‐scores at rest were higher in the NaCl group compared with the Bupivacaine group ( P < 0.01), 1 h NRS‐scores in flexion were higher in the NaCl group compared with the Bupivacaine ( P < 0.01) and Ropivacaine ( P < 0.01) groups. NRS‐satisfaction at 4 h was higher for the Bupivacaine group compared with the NaCl group ( P = 0.01). Differences in NRS‐scores were significant but low in magnitude. NSAID consumption was lower in the Bupivacaine group compared with the NaCl group ( P < 0.01). Conclusions The results of this randomised clinical trial demonstrate improved analgesia after administration of low doses of intra‐articular Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine after arthroscopy of the knee. Considering reports of Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine being chondrotoxic agents and the relatively small improvement on patient comfort found in this trial, it is advised to use systemic anaesthetic instead of intra‐articular Bupivacaine or Ropivacaine for pain relief after knee arthroscopy. Level of evidence I.