Comparing Iliopsoas (IPB) and Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) blocks for pain control and recovery after total hip replacement
Comparison Between Iliopsoas Block (IPB) and Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block on Postoperative Analgesia and Functional Recovery After Total Hip Arthroplasty Surgery: a Double-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial
This trial will try whether the iliopsoas plane block (IPB) works as well as the PENG block to reduce pain and help recovery after hip replacement in adults having surgery under spinal anesthesia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 118 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Liege Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Liège) |
| Trial ID | NCT06964282 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, double-blind equivalence trial will enroll 118 adults undergoing elective posterior‑approach total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia and randomly assign them to receive either an ultrasound‑guided IPB (7 ml ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml) or a PENG block (14 ml ropivacaine 3.75 mg/ml) 30 minutes before spinal anesthesia. All patients will receive the same spinal anesthetic and a standardized postoperative analgesic regimen to limit confounding. The primary outcome is pain during early postoperative mobilization measured by patient‑reported pain scores, with secondary endpoints including opioid consumption and recovery measures. Blinding will be maintained for patients, surgeons, and data collectors to ensure unbiased outcome assessment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (>18 years) with ASA physical status I–III scheduled for elective posterior‑approach total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia who can consent and undergo regional anesthesia.
Not a fit: Patients with chronic high‑dose opioid use, known peripheral neuropathy or major neurological disease, severe hepatic or renal failure, major coagulopathy, allergy to local anesthetics, pregnancy, or those having non‑posterior approaches or general anesthesia are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If IPB proves equivalent to PENG, patients could get similar pain relief with an alternative block that may support earlier mobilization, less motor weakness, or simplified dosing while reducing opioid use.
How similar studies have performed: The PENG block has shown effective analgesia in hip surgery and IPB has shown promising results in hip arthroscopy, but they have not been directly compared in posterior‑approach total hip replacement.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Adult patients (age \>18 years) ASA physical status classification I-III Scheduled for elective posterior approach total hip arthroplasty (THA) under spinal anesthesia Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy (confirmed by beta-HCG test if applicable) Known peripheral neuropathy or major neurological disease Chronic pain syndromes or long-term opioid use (\>20 mg oral morphine equivalents/day) Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency Allergy to local anesthetics Major coagulopathies Vulnerable patients (e.g., minors, legally protected individuals)
Where this trial is running
Liège
- Liege University Hospital — Liège, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michele Carella, MD, PhD, ESRA-DRA — Liège University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Michele Carella, MD, PhD, ESRA-DRA
- Email: mcarella@chuliege.be
- Phone: +3242843658
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.