Fascia Iliaca (FICB) block in the emergency department for adults with neck of femur fractures: A review of the literature.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To ascertain the efficacy of fascia iliaca block for providing analgesia for adults with proximal femoral fractures when compared with standard management. The potential for non-medical practitioners to deliver this block was also assessed.

METHOD:

Medline and CINAHL were searched, as were the reference lists from located articles. The title was reviewed and eligibility determined by this and abstract. The full text was then reviewed. A wide range of papers were included. The Cochrane library was also searched as were case reports.

RESULTS:

179 papers were identified, of which 12 were included for review after eligibility sorting and removal of duplicates. These comprised 2 randomised control trials, an audit, a literature review, 5 cohort studies, NICE guidelines and an interventional uncontrolled trial. The Cochrane library revealed no studies that met the search criteria. 2 case reports detailing adverse outcomes were identified. All papers showed FICB to have a similar or greater efficacy to systemic treatment, with fewer adverse side effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

FICB is an effective method of providing analgesia in these patients without the undesirable side effects of systemic opioids. Non- medical practitioners are capable of administering this block.

• Authors: Stuart Pinson
• Journal: International emergency nursing (Int Emerg Nurs) Vol. 23 Issue 4 Pg. 323-8 (Oct 2015) ISSN: 1878-013X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25956668 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Anesthesia, Local (methods)
• Emergency Service, Hospital
• Femoral Fractures
• Humans