ABSTRACT
The femoral catheter is placed preoperatively and a bolus of 30 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine is given. Patients undergoing unicompartmental knee replacement also undergo a single-injection sciatic block. Intraoperative anesthetic management may consist of a low-dose spinal (6-7 mg 0.5% bupivacaine) or a fast-track general anesthetic. On arrival in the postoperative anesthesia care unit, the analgesic pathway is implemented: an infusion of 0.1% bupivacaine at 10 mL/h is initiated, breakthrough pain is treated with ketorolac, oxycodone, or combination of oxycodone-acetaminophen, and the patient is educated regarding management of an indwelling femoral catheter and infusion pump.
