Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Spinal Sonography for Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Neuraxial Anesthesia
Published on: January 31, 2025
Ultrasound-guided Suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Femur Fracture
Shadab Ahmed1, Sourabh Kumar, Ekramul Haque
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
Background:
Ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) is increasingly used for postoperative analgesia in femur fracture surgery. However, evidence comparing different concentrations of bupivacaine for this block remains limited.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of 0.25% and 0.125% bupivacaine administered through ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal FICB in patients undergoing femur fracture surgery.
Materials And Methods:
In this prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial, 90 American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients aged 18-50 years undergoing elective femur fracture fixation under spinal anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group A (n = 45) received 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine and Group B (n = 45) received 20 mL of 0.125% bupivacaine for ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal FICB. Postoperative pain scores, rescue analgesic requirements, hemodynamic parameters, sensory blockade, ambulation, and adverse events were assessed.
Results:
Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. Visual Analog Scale scores at rest and during movement 20 min after block administration were significantly lower in Group A (P < 0.001). Postoperative pain scores remained significantly lower in Group A at 2, 4, 6, and 18 h. Patients receiving 0.25% bupivacaine had significantly greater sensory blockade, lower total rescue analgesic consumption, earlier time to first rescue analgesia, and more stable hemodynamic parameters than those receiving 0.125% bupivacaine (P < 0.05). No major complications or adverse effects were observed in either group.
Conclusion:
Ultrasound-guided suprainguinal FICB is an effective and safe technique for postoperative analgesia in femur fracture surgery. Compared with 0.125% bupivacaine, 0.25% bupivacaine provided superior analgesia, prolonged pain relief, reduced analgesic requirements, and better hemodynamic stability.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia
One of the advantages of...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia