Suprascapular Nerve Block Efficacy for Shoulder Surgery

Ivan Simionato

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Postoperative Pain; Shoulder Pain; Anesthesia, Local; Anesthesia; Rotator Cuff Tears

Treatments: Procedure: Suprascapular nerve block; Procedure: Interscalene Nerve Block; Procedure: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04364542

ShoulderSurgeryGroupSCPA

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates the analgesia induced by suprascapular nerve block in comparison to interscalene nerve block in arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs. The experimental and the control group will receive the suprascapular nerve block and interscalene nerve block, respectively.

Full description

Peripheral nerve blocks are widely used for postsurgical analgesia. Interscalene nerve block provides a total brachial plexus motor and sensitive blockade while the suprascapular nerve block produces only a specific peripheral blockade.

The interscalene nerve block is the most frequently used anesthesia technique and requires a longer learning curve. Complications related to this technique may be more severe and frequent in comparison to other regional anesthesia techniques.

The suprascapular nerve block yields less adverse effects, discomfort and rebound effect as this technique does not completely block the upper limb motor function.

Enrollment: 98 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 18 and 80 years old
• Confirmed rotator cuff tear by magnetic resonance imaging

Exclusion criteria

• Irreparable cuff tears (retracted lesions to the glenoid rim and/or fourth grade fatty infiltration)
• Partial repair of cuff tears (immobile lesions)
• Rheumatic diseases
• Neck-related shoulder pain
• Glenohumeral instability or osteoarthritis

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

---

98 participants in 2 patient groups

Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB)

Experimental group

Description:

Single shot using the blind block technique with 10 ml 0.75% ropivacaine and arthroscopic portals infiltration with 5 ml 0.75% diluted in 15 ml of distilled water.

Treatment:

Procedure: Suprascapular nerve block

Procedure: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Interscalene Nerve Block (ISB)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Single shot using US-guided interscalene brachial plexus block with 15 ml 0.5% ropivacaine and arthroscopic portals infiltration with 5 ml 0.75% diluted in 15 ml of distilled water.

Treatment:

Procedure: Interscalene Nerve Block

Procedure: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair