Journal of Anesthesiology and Pain

Continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) is the most common local anesthesia technique used to control pain after Total knee arthroplasty (TKA). CEA has many side effects. Continuous paravertebral block is an effective method with fewer side effects in controlling TKA pain. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of this two methods on post-TKA pain.TKA patients were randomly divided into two groups (N = 19): A) CEB: Bupivacaine 0.25% was injected epiduraly by pump at 4 ml / hr during 24 hours after surgery. B) Continuous Lumbar Paravertebral Block (CLPB): all interventions were similar to group A, but by paravertebral catheter. Basic Mobility Scale (BMS) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ( static and dynamic) four times (4, 8, 16 and 24 hours after surgery) were measured and recorded. Use of opioids and their complications were measured.Patients in the CLPB group experienced significantly less dynamic and static pain 4 and 8 hours after TKA than patients in the CEA group (p< 0.05). There was no side effects in patients in the CLPB group but,  patients in the CEA group experienced Nausea and Vomiting. No significant difference was observed for BMS and Muscular Strength in any of the follow-up stages between the two groups (P> 0.05).Continuous paravertebral block has equal efficacy in controlling pain in patients undergoing TKA surgery compared to continuous epidural block. Due to, lack of complications it can be considered as a suitable alternative in TKA patients.