*Corresponding Author: Dr. Arvinpreet Kour, Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Science and Research, Mullana, Haryana, India.
Background: Proximal femur fractures are associated with severe pain, making patient positioning for spinal anaesthesia challenging. Peripheral nerve blocks such as femoral nerve block (FNB) and fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) provide effective analgesia while minimizing opioid-related adverse effects.
Objective: To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block and fascia iliaca compartment block in facilitating patient positioning for spinal anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing surgery for proximal femur fractures.
Methods: This prospective randomized double-blind study included 62 patients aged 20–60 years undergoing elective surgery for proximal femur fractures. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group FNB (n=31) received ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block and Group FICB (n=31) received ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block. Both groups received 30 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during positioning for spinal anaesthesia and in the postoperative period. Hemodynamic parameters and time to first rescue analgesia were recorded.
Results: Demographic characteristics were comparable between groups. The FNB group demonstrated significantly lower VAS scores at 10, 15 and 20 minutes after block administration (p < 0.001), indicating faster onset of analgesia. However, postoperative analgesia lasted longer in the FICB group. Hemodynamic parameters remained stable in both groups.
Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block provides faster analgesia for positioning during spinal anaesthesia, whereas fascia iliaca compartment block offers longer postoperative analgesia.
Keywords: Femoral nerve block, fascia iliaca compartment block, ultrasound-guided, proximal femur fractures, postoperative analgesia.
How to cite this article: Nayyar R, Nandal S, Kour A. Comparative study of femoral nerve block and fascia iliaca compartment block using ultrasound for positioning and post-operative analgesia in proximal femur fractures. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(6s): 131-133; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.6s.16
Source of support: None.
Conflict of interest: None