Increase in early wound leakage in total knee arthroplasty with local infiltrative analgesia (LIA) that includes epinephrine: a retrospective cohort study

Background and purpose — After introducing a new local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) protocol with addition of 30 mL ropivacaine 2% and 1 mg epinephrine, we noted an increase in early wound leakage. As wound leakage is associated with prosthetic joint infection, our department aims to minimize postoperative wound leakage. This study evaluates the incidence of early wound leakage and postoperative pain after knee arthroplasty (KA) following adjustment of the LIA protocol with addition of 30 cc ropivacaine 2% and 1 mg epinephrine.

Patients and methods — In this retrospective medical dossier study all patients (n = 502) undergoing a primary total or unicondylar knee arthroplasty between January 1, 2018 and July 1, 2019 were included. Patients received an LIA protocol containing 120 mL 2 mg/mL ropivacaine (ROPI– group; n = 256). After October 30, patients received an LIA protocol containing 150 mL 2 mg/mL ropivacaine with 1 mg epinephrine in the first 100 mL (ROPI + group; n = 246). The primary outcome measure was early wound leakage (< 72 hours postoperatively), defined as wound fluid leaking past the barrier of the wound dressing. Secondary outcome measure, 10-point numeric rating scale (NRS) pain (< 72 hours postoperatively) was also assessed. Data was evaluated using logistic regression.

Results — The incidence of wound leakage was higher in the ROPI + group: 24% versus 17% in the ROPI– group (p = 0.06). After adjusting for the differences between surgeons the relative risk of this increase was 1.4 (1.0–2.0). The ROPI + and ROPI– group were similar regarding postoperative pain assessment.

Interpretation — Adjustment of the LIA protocol with 30 mL 2% ropivacaine and 1 mg epinephrine led to an increase in early wound leakage in knee arthroplasty but no difference in pain scores.