Analgesic effect of intraarticular ropivacaine-morphine combination in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients on postoperative pain: A Randomized Control trial

Abstract

Background: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery is commonly performed as an outpatient procedure and is often associated with postoperative pain. Objectives: We aimed to find out the effects of intra-articular ropivacaine-morphine on postoperative pain in patients undergoing elective arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery. Materials and Methods: A total of 46 patients undergoing elective arthroscopic ACL reconstruction under spinal anaesthesia were enrolled. The participants were allocated to two groups to receive the following intra-articular medications after completion of the surgery and before deflation of the tourniquet: Group I, 20 mL of saline, Group II, 0.25% Ropivacaine and 5 mg morphine 20 mL in volume. Visual analogue scale (VAS) values were recorded at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively, duration of analgesia, total analgesic consumption, and number of rescue analgesia at 24 hours were evaluated. Results: VAS was significantly higher in group I in comparison to other groups. Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group II than in Group I. Number of rescue analgesia and total analgesic consumption at postoperative hour 24 was significantly fewer in group II. Conclusions: Intraarticular ropivacaine-morphine combination provides effective pain relief, longer analgesic duration, and less analgesic requirement when compared with intra-articular ropivacaine-clonidine combination and saline after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery.