Preoperative Pericapsular Nerve Group Block Results in Less Pain, Decreased Narcotic Use, and Quicker Discharge Time Than No Block in Patients Who Were Surgically Treated for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Purpose To determine the effectiveness of pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block for patients surgically treated for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Methods Consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment of FAIS either with or without preoperative PENG block by a single surgeon were retrospectively identified. Twenty‐five patients who received PENG block were matched 1:1 by age, sex, body mass index, and procedure to 25 patients who received no block (NB). A retrospective review of the medical records of consecutive patients undergoing the PENG block was performed. Outcome measures of postanesthesia care unit visual analog scale initial (PACU VAS‐initial), maximum (PACU VAS‐max), discharge (PACU VAS‐discharge), intraoperative fentanyl, pain medications in morphine equivalents (ME), and PACU to discharge times were recorded. Results Twenty‐five patients undergoing a PENG block and 25 patients who did not undergo a block (NB) were identified. No significant differences observed between age, sex, body mass index, surgery time, or procedures performed between the PENG and NB groups, P > .05. Significantly less VAS‐initial was observed in the PENG group 3.7 ± 3.2, versus 5.5 ± 2.9 in the NB group, P  = .04. Fentanyl usage intraoperatively was 137.3 ± 53.3 μg versus 108.5 ± 39.6 μg in NB versus PENG group respectively, P  = .04. Narcotic use was 50.29 ± 11.2 ME versus 34.3 ± 12.1 ME in NB versus PENG group respectively, P  = .001. PACU to discharge time was 95.8 ± 31 minutes versus 81.5 ± 19 minutes in NB versus PENG group, respectively, P  = .05. No patient in the PENG group demonstrated a motor nerve palsy. Conclusions For patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS, the addition of a preoperative PENG block showed a significant decrease in initial PACU pain, PACU narcotic consumption, intraoperative fentanyl usage, and quicker time to discharge without complications when compared to a no block, post‐free control group. Level of Evidence III, retrospective cohort study.