title: Analgesic efficacy and technique of ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve catheters after shoulder arthroscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional approaches to brachial plexus blocks may not cover the suprascapular nerve. Accordingly, after shoulder arthroscopy, sensation from the posterior part of the shoulder is commonly spared. Most previous research involving suprascapular nerve blocks described single-injection techniques. However, with the widespread availability and fairly reasonable cost of disposable infusion pumps, continuous catheter techniques provide a more appealing method of prolonging postoperative analgesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe 2 patients who were successfully treated with ultrasound-guided continuous suprascapular nerve catheters. With the patient seated, a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe was used. Both patients experienced excellent pain relief without complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuous suprascapular catheter techniques provide good pain relief and improve postoperative analgesia after shoulder arthroscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Outcomes Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH ; Department of General Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Hesham A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Elsharkawy
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin, School of Public Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI.
authors.forename: Alaa A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Abd-Elsayed
authors.affiliation: Department of Outcomes Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH ; Department of General Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.affiliation: Department of General Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Loran Mounir
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Soliman
keywords: Analgesia–patient-controlled; brachial plexus; catheters–indwelling; infusion pump; nerve block; ultrasonography–interventional