Day case shoulder surgery: satisfactory pain control without regional anaesthesia. A prospective analysis of a perioperative protocol.
BACKGROUND
Pain control is an issue which may limit patients' acceptance of day case shoulder surgery. This study prospectively examined the outcome of a protocol for day case shoulder surgery to determine if satisfactory pain relief could be achieved without regional anaesthesia.


METHODS
Patients attended for pre-assessment and were informed about the procedure and day case protocol. Anaesthesia used was either a regional anaesthetic block or subacromial bursal block. Patients were discharged with a standard pain pack. All 117 operations were performed arthroscopically. Patients were contacted 24 h following surgery by an independent observer.


RESULTS
Based on 90 completed surveys, all patients were satisfied. Pain was well controlled in 85% of patients but 50% of the remaining patients did not take the prescribed pain pack. Problems other than pain were seen in only 4% of patients. No patients required overnight admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates a very high level of patient satisfaction and good pain relief without the use of regional anaesthesia for patients undergoing shoulder surgery as a day case.
Daruwalla
Z J
ZJ
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont Road, Dublin 9, Republic of Ireland, zubinjimmydaruwalla@rcsi.ie.
Halpenny
M
M
Mullett
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012782:Shoulder / Q000601:surgery*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult