Ultrasound Guided Suprascapular Nerve Block Combined with Intra-Articular Injection of Bupivacaine versus Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Nerve Block in Shoulder Arthroscopy

Abstract Background Severe intraoperative and postoperative pain associated with arthroscopic shoulder surgery has a high incidence reaching up to 45%; it is often significant enough to interfere with initial recovery and rehabilitation. This pain is difficult to manage without large doses of opioids. Objective To compare Interscalene nerve block ISNB with the suprascapular nerve and Intra- articular injection (SSNB+IAI) for postoperative analgesia after shoulder arthroscopic surgery guided with ultrasound. Patients and Methods This is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, that was carried out in Ain Shams University Educational Hospitals, through a period of six months. Results The ISNB and SSNB+IAI have the same efficacy for postoperative analgesia after shoulder arthroscopy done for different purposes. A non-significant difference in patient satisfaction assessed 24-hour post-operative, with p-value 0.054. There is a significant difference between the two groups regarding the reported complications, with a p-value of 0.017. Highly significant difference between the two groups regarding phrenic nerve paresis which is assessed using diaphragmatic ultrasound, with a p-value of 0.000. Based on our results we recommend further studies on larger patients and longer periods of follow-up to emphasize our conclusion. Conclusion ISNB and SSNB+IAI provided similar postoperative analgesia and patient satisfaction, but the higher rate of complications in ISNB made the SSNB+IAI superior for use in arthroscopic shoulder surgery.