Fascia iliaca block for pain control in hip fracture patients

Pain treatment for patients with hip fracture has been based on the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and opioid derived drugs. These medications have been associated with multiple adverse effects. Fascia iliaca block is a recent pain management alternative for these patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of fascia iliaca block performed in the emergency room (ER) for patients over 65years of age with hip fracture.

A cohort of 216 patients, from January to December 2016, was studied prospectively. Analyzed variables were: pain upon arrival at ER, pain after fascia iliaca block, need for rescue medication, protocol compliance, delay in analgesia administration and delay for surgery.

Differences between visual analogue scale (VAS), before and after the fascia iliaca block, were statistically significant (P<.001). Pre-block VAS recorded was 6.16 (SD=2.82). The mean VAS reduction after the block was 2.99 (95%CI: 2.45-3.53%). Twenty-six percent of patients required morphine as rescue medication in the first 8hours after diagnosis. Compliance with protocol administration was of 84%. Fascia iliaca block was performed in a mean time of 16minutes (SD=10.33) after diagnosis. The median delay for surgery was 1 day (RIQ 25-75%: 1-2).

Fascia iliaca block is a reproducible, safe and effective technique for pain management. It is a keystone in pain treatment for patients with a proximal femur fracture at our institution. Other objectives in our pain management protocol include early analgesia administration and reduction of time to surgery.