Continuous bilateral posterior lumbar plexus block with a disposable infusion pump: case report

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Pain Management
• Surgical Procedures

Background:

• Bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) is increasingly common.
• Continuous perineural local anesthetic infusion shows advantages over systemic analgesia.
• Elastomeric pumps improve patient satisfaction compared to electronic models for continuous infusions.

Observation:

• A case report details a 46-year-old female (ASA II) undergoing simultaneous bilateral THA.
• The patient received spinal and general anesthesia, followed by bilateral posterior lumbar plexus blocks.
• Continuous infusion of 0.1% bupivacaine via elastomeric pumps was administered postoperatively.

Findings:

• Continuous bilateral posterior lumbar plexus block with elastomeric pumps provided effective pain control.
• The patient experienced sustained analgesia for 50 hours without boluses.
• Post-catheter removal pain was managed with oral analgesics.

Implications:

• Continuous peripheral blockade with elastomeric pumps is a safe and effective analgesic strategy for bilateral THA.
• This method can enhance postoperative recovery and patient comfort.
• Further research may explore wider applications in orthopedic surgery.