The purpose of this study is to show our experience using elastomeric pumps for postoperative pain relief after outpatient medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction.

Prospective case series.

Patients (N = 78) with recurrent patella dislocation who underwent MPFL repair using an autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft were included. After discharge, pain was controlled using intravenous analgesia infused by an elastomeric pump for 48 hours. Outcomes regarding pain, complications, overall satisfaction, and knee functionality were assessed.

Early postoperative pain was mild in 53.8% of patients, and 30.8% patients had no pain at all. Twenty-four hours after surgery, 38.5% patients presented no pain, which increased to 53.8% at 72 hours. Nausea was experienced by 2.6% patients as was vomiting (7.7%) and drowsiness (2.6%). The mean score for patient satisfaction regarding the treatment was 90.2 (60.0-100.0). Moreover, postoperative knee functionality 12 months after the procedure proved to be statistically significantly superior (P <0.05).

Postoperative analgesia using an intravenous elastomeric pump allows performance of MPFL reconstruction as an outpatient procedure with satisfactory pain control, complication rates and patient satisfaction.