Comparison of Supra vs Infra Inguinal Fascia Iliaca Blocks for Spinal Positioning and Analgesia in Lower Limb Surgery

Severe pain associated with thigh and knee fractures makes the positioning for regional anesthesia a challenge. Different modalities to make patient pain free for spinal positioning, post op analgesia and patient satisfaction including supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block (S-FIB) and infra-inguinal fascia iliaca blocks (I-FIB) have been studies. The aim of this study is to compare two blocks in patients undergoing thigh and knee surgeries. A randomized controlled trial study design will be used and 60 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be included. The patients will be divided into 2 groups by simple random sampling. Group A (S-FIB) (n = 30, those who will receive 30 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine) and Group B (I-FIB) (n = 30, those who will receive 30 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine). Depending on the allotted group, patients will be given the block under the guidance of ultrasound in the preoperative area. After block patients will be assessed for ease of spinal positioning using EOSP Scale, postoperative duration of analgesia and patient satisfaction using Likert Scale and data will be recorded on prescribed proforma. All the findings will be noted in a specially designed proforma by the researcher. All the data collected will be entered and analyzed. Quantitative variables will be presented with mean ± SD. Independent sample t-test for duration of postoperative analgesia. Qualitative variables such as ease of spinal positioning and gender will be presented with Chi-Square. A p-value equal to or less than 0.05 will be considered significant.