Pericapsular Nerve Group and Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Blocks for Geriatrics Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most common major orthopedic procedures to improve a patient's functional status and quality of life. Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most cost-effective and consistently successful surgeries performed in orthopedics and can be associated with significant postoperative pain.

General anesthesia may be considered more versatile and suitable for patients with complex medical histories or those who cannot tolerate spinal anesthesia. However, older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery under general anesthesia may experience a higher risk of postoperative delirium, prolonged sedation, and respiratory complications. Moreover, delayed mobilization is possible, leading to a higher incidence of complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pressure sores.

The target nerves of the hip joint arise from the lumbar plexus (L1-L4), the lumbosacral trunk of the sacral plexus (L4-L5), and the sacral spinal nerves (S1-S4) (7). The femoral nerve, obturator nerve, and the accessory obturator nerve supply the anterior capsule of the hip; the sciatic nerve and the nerve to the quadratus femoris mostly supply the articular branches to the posterior capsule of the hip joint The erector spinae plane block is a novel inter-fascial plane block targets the dorsal and ventral rami of the spinal nerves, is a newer regional anesthetic technique that can be used to provide analgesia for a variety of surgical procedures or to manage acute or chronic pain. This block can potentially provide analgesia to the posterior pelvis potentially safer alternative to epidural or paravertebral techniques, areas often involved in hip fracture pain.

The pericapsular nerve group block targets the articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves near the hip joint capsule. By blocking these nerves, the pericapsular nerve group block effectively provides analgesia to the hip joint, particular tissues, and proximal femur.