Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block and Early Wound-Related Symptoms After Open Rotator Cuff Repair

This exploratory randomized controlled trial evaluated the association of interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) with early postoperative wound-related symptom scores and perioperative biomarker responses in patients undergoing open rotator cuff repair. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block or standardized general anaesthesia. The primary outcome was postoperative wound-related assessment using the Toronto Symptom Assessment System for Wounds (TSAS-W) on postoperative days 5 and 14. TSAS-W was used as an exploratory patient-reported wound symptom assessment tool. Secondary outcomes included perioperative serum cytokine and growth-factor concentrations (IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α, EGF, PDGF, and TGF-β), platelet counts, postoperative pain scores, tramadol consumption within 48 hours, time to mobilisation, and postoperative nausea and vomiting. This study aimed to investigate whether interscalene brachial plexus block was associated with differences in perioperative biological responses and postoperative wound-related symptom scores compared with general anaesthesia.