Femoral Nerve Block (FNB) and pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block are renowned regional analgesic procedures, due to their opioid-sparing effects. This study favored the efficacy of PENG block in terms of pain relief.

To compare the analgesic efficacy and motor function of FNB and PENG block in hip fracture surgery.

Sixty patients were randomly given either FNB or PENG block in this single-center double-blinded randomized comparative study. Pain scores (via Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) on a scale of 0 to 10) were regarded as the primary outcome. Quadriceps strength, opioid usage, complications, duration of hospital stay, and patient-reported outcomes after the surgery was regarded as the secondary outcomes.

As per the NRS scale, the patients in the PENG group had better pain relief compared to the patients with the FNB group at day 0 of the surgery, as shown in the below table:

PENG group had better preserved Quadriceps strength in the recovery unit (examined via Oxford muscle strength grading, 60% intact in PENG group as compared to none in the FNB group) and on day 1 (90% intact as compared to 50%). 

The PENG block patients had reduced postoperative pain in the recovery room with no dissimilarity discovered by day 1 of the surgery. No differences perceived in recovery quality inspite of the brief analgesic advantage and better quadriceps strength.