Comparison of Combined Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks With Periarticular Injection for Analgesia in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

This randomized trial aims to assess if a combined suprascapular-axillary nerve block (CSAB) to periarticular injection (PI) treated pain after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Secondary endpoints included opioid consumption, discomfort associated with muscle weakness, and patient satisfaction.

sixty patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery will be randomized to receive ultrasound-guided CSAB (n = 30) or PI (n = 30). Pain intensity at rest and discomfort were recorded upon arrival in the recovery room, discharge to the ward, and at 4, 8, and 24 hours after surgery. Tramadol consumption was recorded for the first 24 hours. Patient satisfaction data will be recorded on the second postoperative day.

Using a computer-generated random allocation sequence (created by the study statistician), patients will randomly be assigned to ultrasound-guided SAB (n = 30) or PI(n = 30). Allocation numbers will be sealed in an opaque envelope opening in sequence by an independent anesthesiologist who will not assess outcomes. Outcome assessors will be blinded to treatment allocation.

After eligible patients are identified from the registry, patient charts were prospectively a blind orthopedist would collect data. Demographic data including sex, age, body mass index, surgical procedure, and complications will be recorded. Primary outcome measures were numeric rating scale pain scores and 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption. Pain scores will be recorded immediately before surgery, immediately following surgery in the postanesthesia recovery unit, and 24 hours postoperatively. Total opioid consumption will also be recorded for the first 24 hours following surgery. Secondary outcome measures included length of surgery, operating room time, perioperative anesthesia time, blood loss, hospital length of stay, and intraoperative and 30-day postoperative complication rates. Postoperative complications were further categorized as nerve-related, cardiopulmonary, and musculoskeletal (fracture or tendon rupture).

Statisticians will compare statistics between groups using a 2-sample t-test for normally distributed variables. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test will be used for non-normally distributed variables. A general linear model with correlated errors was used to account for repeated pain score assessments over time for each subject. The Fisher exact test will be used for categorical variables. Summary statistics will be reported as the mean and standard deviation for data analyzed using the 2-sample t-test and general linear models. The median and 25th and 75th percentiles will be reported for the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The frequency (i.e., n) and percentage will be reported for data analyzed using the Fisher exact test. A P value of .05 will be designated as the threshold for statistical significance.