Functional recovery and pain control following Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block following hip surgeries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

PURPOSE: The Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block is a regional anaesthesia technique used in hip surgery. However, its effectiveness and analgesic efficiency, especially when compared to other regional anaesthesia techniques, have yet to be fully established. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the functional recovery and pain management following PENG block in Hip surgeries.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a meta-analysis of prospective randomised clinical trials that compared the effects of PENG block versus the control group or different regional anaesthesia techniques in hip surgeries. The study was registered on the International Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) and is available online ( www.crd.york.uk/prospero , CRD42024529125).

RESULTS

Nineteen studies encompassing 1682 participants were included for the synthesis after critical evaluation. Ultrasound-guided PENG block improved functional recovery when compared to no block anaesthesia (RR 0.48, 95% Cl 0.24, 0.96, p = 0.04) and different regional anaesthesia techniques (RR 0.45, 95% Cl 0.26, 0.77, p = 0.004). The PENG block showed a reduction of postoperative opioid consumption 24 h after surgery when compared to no block anaesthesia (SMD - 0.92, 95% Cl - 1.65, - 0.19; p = 0.01) and when compared to Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) (SMD - 0.96, 95% Cl - 1.52, - 0.39, p = 0.0009).

CONCLUSION

The PENG block improved functional recovery Compared to no-block analgesia and different regional anaesthesia techniques. Also, the PENG block improved analgesic efficacy in hip surgeries compared to no-block anaesthesia and to FICB. However, due to the high heterogeneity of included studies, more high-quality, methodological, and strictly defined RCTs are urgently needed to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of PENG block for Hip surgeries.