Intra-articular bupivacaine plus adrenaline for arthroscopic surgery of the knee

The purpose of the study was to evaluate three different doses of intra-articular bupivacaine plus adrenaline in relation to per- and postoperative pain relief following arthroscopy. Sixty patients were allocated to three groups of 20 patients each scheduled for arthroscopy. They were randomized prospectively to receive bupivacaine plus adrenaline 25 mg + 50 micrograms, 50 mg + 100 micrograms, 75 mg + 150 micrograms, respectively, diluted to a volume of 30 ml. Four patients were excluded because the operation could not be carried out under intra-articular analgesia, 18 patients had a diagnostic arthroscopy and 38 patients had different arthroscopic operations performed. The number of patients scoring pain in the knee as moderate or severe was less in Group 3 than in the other two groups, i.e. the highest dose had a better pain relief. No adverse effects were registered. With respect to per- or postoperative administration of analgesics, postoperative pain occurrence, and the surgeon's acceptance of the method, there were no statistically significant differences. Ninety-two percent of the patients would prefer intraarticular analgesia if they should need to have another arthroscopy performed.