Background and aims Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in orthopaedics is a well established technique. Day case arthroplasty is relatively new concept. Best post operative analgesia technique in these patients is not well established. We evaluated the effectiveness, safety and patient satisfaction of PNB in uni-compartmental knee arthroplasty.

Methods In this non-randomised, observational study 12 connective adult patient undergoing UKA surgery received PNB (7 patients) and local infiltration analgesia LIA (5 patients) patient for postoperative pain relief. LIA was given by surgeon intra-operatively using 0.125% Levobupivacaine. PNB group received ultrasound guided adductor canal block and IPACK block using 0.25% Levobupivacaine 20 mls each. All patients received spinal anaesthesia for surgery using 3–4 mls of 0.25% Levobupivacaine. Quality of postoperative analgesia in PACU and ability to discharge home on the same day were recorded. All patients were given a questionnaire to take home to record quality of analgesia, side effects and their satisfaction in first 72 hours after surgery. Re-admission rate was also recoded

Results All patients in PNB group had effective analgesia and were discharged home the same day. 2 out of 5 patients in LIA group were admitted overnight due to inadequate pain relief and inability to mobilise. Quality of analgesia and patient satisfaction were better in PNB (7/10) group as compared to LIA group (5/10). There was no re-admission to hospital after discharge in both groups.

Conclusions PNBs provides superior analgesia and results in improved patient satisfaction as compared to LIA in patients undergoing day case uni-compartmental knee replacement.