Cervical Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Interscalene Plexus Block for Pain Relief After Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Noninferiority Randomized Clinical Study

Severe pain after arthroscopic surgery is a common experience for the patients . Different regional anesthetic technique has been applicated for postoperative pain relief . The main goal of regional anesthesia regarding postoperative pain relief is to reduce opioid requirements. The most commonly used approach is Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB), since it provides effective postoperative analgesia upto 12 hours. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has been reported for a variety of indications such as thoracic and abdominal surgery. Recently, a novel description of a T2-3 erector spinae plane (ESP) as an alternative to a BP block for an upper extremity surgical procedure. Following these studies, direct cervical ESP block has been recently performed successfully as both clinical and cadaveric study. The investigators hypothesized that cervical ESP block is as effective as (non-inferior) interscalene brachial plexus block in terms of postoperative analgesia of shoulder surgery. To evaluate the effectiveness of the cervical ESP block, the investigators have designed a randomized study. Primary aim is to evaluate the postoperative opioid consumption. Secondary aim is to evaluate postoperative pain scores by Numeric Rating Scale (0 to 10 point scale).