title: PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY COMPARING TWO ANESTHETIC METHODS FOR SHOULDER SURGERY.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of suprascapular nerve block in combination with infusion of anesthetic into the subacromial space, compared with interscalene block.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients with small or medium-sized isolated supraspinatus tendon lesions who underwent arthroscopic repair were prospectively and comparatively evaluated through random assignation to three groups of 15, each with a different combination of anesthetic methods. The efficacy of postoperative analgesia was measured using the visual analogue scale for pain and the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and opioid drug consumption. Inhalation anesthetic consumption during surgery was also compared between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The statistical analysis did not find any statistically significant differences among the groups regarding anesthetic consumption during surgery or postoperative analgesic efficacy during the first 48 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suprascapular nerve block with infusion of anesthetic into the subacromial space is an excellent alternative to interscalene block, particularly in hospitals in which an electrical nerve stimulating device is unavailable.
authors.affiliation: MSc in Medicine and Head of the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, ABC School of Medicine (FMABC).
authors.forename: Roberto Yukio
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Ikemoto
authors.affiliation: PhD in Medicine and Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, ABC School of Medicine (FMABC).
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murachovsky
authors.affiliation: MSc in Medicine and Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, ABC School of Medicine (FMABC).
authors.forename: Luis Gustavo
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Prata Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student in Health Sciences and Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, ABC School of Medicine (FMABC).
authors.forename: Rogerio Serpone
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Bueno
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student in Health Sciences and Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, ABC School of Medicine (FMABC).
authors.forename: Luiz Henrique
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Oliveira Almeida
authors.affiliation: MSc in Medicine and Attending Physician in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, ABC School of Medicine (FMABC).
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Strose
authors.affiliation: Trainee in the Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, ABC School of Medicine (FMABC).
authors.forename: Sérgio Cabral
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: de Mello
authors.affiliation: Anesthesiologist in Mario Covas State Hospital, FMABC.
authors.forename: Deise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saletti
keywords: Anesthesia; Arthroscopy; Nerve block; Rotator cuff; Shoulder