title: Efficacy of direct arthroscopy-guided suprascapular nerve block after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a prospective randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopy-guided direct suprascapular nerve block performed after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical study, 30 patients were divided into two groups: 15 patients (group I) were treated with arthroscopy-guided suprascapular nerve block using 10 mL 0.5 % ropivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine, and 15 patients (group II) were treated with placebo using 10 mL 0.9 % saline after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Patient pain levels were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h post-operatively. Additionally, the number of boluses and total amount of fentanyl dispensed by patient-controlled analgesia administration during the 24-h post-operative period were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VAS scores did not differ significantly between groups I and II during the 24-h post-operative period, but mean fentanyl bolus consumption was significantly less in group I compared with group II (p = 0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopy-guided suprascapular nerve block at the end of a rotator cuff repair was safe and less time-consuming than expected. Although this procedure did not significantly reduce the post-operative pain, the post-operative need for fentanyl boluses as analgesia was reduced significantly, and it would be beneficial if this procedure involved a sensory branch of axillary nerve block or was performed at the beginning of the arthroscopic procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial, Level I.
authors: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors: Jae Jun
authors: JJ
authors: Lee
authors: Yon-Sik
authors: YS
authors: Yoo
authors: Jung-Taek
authors: JT
authors: Hwang
authors: Do-Young
authors: DY
authors: Kim
authors: Seong-Jae
authors: SJ
authors: Jeon
authors: Sung Mi
authors: SM
authors: Hwang
authors: Ji Su
authors: JS
authors: Jang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine