LIA Hip Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The Efficacy of Continuous Intra-articular Infusion of Local Anaesthetic Agent following Elective Primary Hip Arthroplasty

• IRAS ID

  74042

• Contact name

  Martin Stone

• Sponsor organisation

  Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

• Eudract number

  2011-001510-33

• ISRCTN Number

  n/a

• Research summary

  This double blind, randomised controlled trial is designed to investigate a new approach to pain relief following planned hip replacement surgery. The current treatment for post-operative pain after this surgery is a combination of morphine and other medicines including ibuprofen and paracetamol. Morphine provides effective analgesia after surgery but it can have some unpleasant side effects e.g. nausea, vomiting and urinary retention. If less morphine could be used whilst achieving effective pain relief, there may be a reduction in the frequency and severity of these side effects. Better pain relief may help patients stand and walk sooner after surgery, reduce other post-operative complications and reduce the length of hospital stay. This study will test the hypothesis that there are better outcomes in terms of pain relief and mobility in patients given an initial bolus of local anaesthetic mixture directly into and around the new joint at the end of surgery followed by a 48-hour long infusion of local anaesthetic (bupivacaine) into the new joint via a CE marked pain pump when compared with a control group. Control group patients will receive the initial bolus of medicine and then an infusion of placebo (saline) via the same pump for 48 hours post-operatively. All patients will receive the standard surgical and anaesthetic technique for hip replacement surgery and will have access to all the standard pain relief options. Regular pain scores will be recorded pre-operatively, post-operatively and before, during and after physiotherapy sessions. Nausea and vomiting scores will also be recorded. The timing and required doses of analgesia and medicine to relieve nausea or vomiting will be noted, plus the need for a urinary catheter, parameters related to mobilisation and the occurrence of any medical complication. Patients, ward doctors, nurses and physiotherapists will be blinded to the contents of the pain pump.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  11/YH/0429

• Date of REC Opinion

  24 Feb 2012

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion