Comparison Between Interscalene and Combined Costoclavicular-suprascapular Blocks for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Postoperative analgesia for shoulder surgery is typically achieved by providing an interscalene brachial plexus block. However, a very common side effect of this block is hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis, a state which may not be tolerated in patients with pulmonary conditions such as COPD. Recently, clinicians have explored new ways to provide satisfactory analgesia while minimizing the pulmonary side effects of the interscalene nerve block. One of these solutions might be to offer the patient a suprascapular nerve block combined to a costoclavicular block. Since these blocks are performed lower in the neck or under the clavicle, the phrenic nerve is less likely to be blocked. Thus, fewer respiratory side effects have been reported when using such blocks. This prospective observational study will evaluate the patient response to surgical stimuli and the opioid requirements intraoperatively in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopies with either a supraclavicular and costoclavicular blocks or an interscalene block. Study Design: Prospective, randomized open label non-inferiority trial. Subject Population: Adults scheduled to undergo elective shoulder arthroscopy Sample Size: 50 patients Study Duration: Starts February 2020 - Ends February 2021 - Interim analysis at 30 patients Study Center: Assuit university hospital