Peri-Capsular Nerve Group Blocks in the Emergency Department (ED) - A Broad Overview

Abstract

Hip fractures and related conditions present significant challenges in emergency departments (EDs, necessitating effective pain management for diagnostic evaluations and immediate interventions. The Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block, a recent innovation in regional anesthesia, has gained prominence for its profound impact on pain control in hip fractures. This article comprehensively reviews the evolution, anatomy, and applications of PENG blocks in emergency medicine. PENG blocks offer precise, sensory-focused pain relief, crucial for patients experiencing severe acute pain due to hip fractures. By comprehensively targeting articular branches of the femoral, obturator, and accessory obturator nerves with a single injection, PENG blocks preserve motor function and reduce reliance on systemic opioids, leading to more comfortable reductions of hip dislocations and improved patient experiences. The PENG block emerges as a valuable asset in revolutionizing pain management for hip fractures within emergency departments, aligning with the overarching goal of enhancing patient care and well-being. As healthcare confronts the challenges of patient comfort and the opioid crisis, further research, including Randomized Controlled Trials and comprehensive Metaanalyses, is warranted to establish definitive recommendations for ED practices in this domain.