Postoperative pain control after shoulder arthroscopy

Network Meta-Analysis of Perioperative Analgesic Effects of Different Interventions on Postoperative Pain After Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery Based on Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

Shoulder arthroscopic surgery is a common surgical method used in orthopedics. However, severe postoperative pain can significantly limit the early joint movement of patients and adversely affect the impact of the surgery. At present, there is no consistent and effective analgesic scheme for the management of postoperative pain after arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to search for the most effective analgesic scheme to control pain in the perioperative period of arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder.

Study Design

Network meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched 5 different databases (i.e., Medline, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) from January 2011 to January 2021 for English literature. Thereafter, we sifted out randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which compared different intervention schemes for pain management after shoulder arthroscopy and selected only 12 h, 24 h, or 48 h after the patient leaves the operating room as an optimal period for administration of analgesic intervention schemes. Only patients with shoulder disease who have undergone arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in this study. The Cochrane “risk of bias” was used for the quality assessment. Moreover, some additional tests were performed to enhance the credibility of the results.

Results

Twenty-nine RCTs involving 1,885 patients were included in this frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA). These articles mainly were divided into two distinct groups, namely, the nerve block group and the non-nerve block group. Regarding the nerve block group, at postoperative 12 h, the intervention suprascapular nerve block + interscalene nerve block (SSNB + INB) was ranked first, whereas INB + intra-articular injection (INB + IAI) was ranked first at 24 h and 48 h postoperation. In the non-nerve block group, external application (EA) was ranked first at postoperative 12 h, but oral administration (OA) exhibited a better analgesic effect at postoperative 24 h and postoperative 48 h.

Conclusion

We conclude that the analgesic effect of SSNB+INB was the best at postoperative 12 h, and INB+IAI was the best at postoperative 24 h and 48 h in the nerve block group. For the non-nerve block group, the effect of EA was the best at postoperative 12 h, and the analgesic effect of OA at postoperative 24 h and 48 h was significantly better than any other interventions.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42021286777.

Ultrasound evaluation of postsurgical shoulder after rotator cuff repair: comparison of clinical results

BACKGROUND

The relationship between the imaging parameters on postoperative ultrasound (US) other than repaired tendon integrity with clinical outcome such as postoperative residual pain has not been well defined.

PURPOSE

To investigate whether the repaired tendon thickness and subdeltoid fluid collection after rotator cuff repair are correlated with early postoperative clinical outcome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 54 patients who underwent repair of the arthroscopic rotator cuff either by suture-bridge or single-row technique and postoperative US. We assessed the relationship between the sonographic parameters, including repaired supraspinatus tendon thickness and subdeltoid fluid collection, with the clinical outcome represented by the Korean Shoulder Scoring system (KSS) score using correlation coefficients (R). Also, the subgroup analysis was done to assess the differences by surgical technique and patients' age.

RESULTS

There was a significant inverse relationship between the amount of subdeltoid fluid collection and degree of self-assessed pain improvement of the patients (P < 0.05), although every KSS category showed statistically insignificant tendency of inverse relationship with the fluid thickness. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between the thickness of repaired supraspinatus tendon and KSS scores. In patients aged >60 years, a statistically significant inverse relationship between thickness of subdeltoid fluid collection and difference value of the KSS scores in category of function was observed with both interpreters (P = 0.015 and P = 0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Subdeltoid fluid collection measured on US after repair of the arthroscopic rotator cuff in the early postoperative period has significant association with the patients' subjective clinical outcome.

Post-operative pain control following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: Intravenous acetaminophen versus interscalene brachial plexus block; A prospective randomized study

Background

With the increasing number of patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), postoperative pain control in these patients has become an important issue. We investigated and compared post-operative pain relief with intravenous acetaminophen (IA) and interscalene brachial plexus block (IBPB) after ARCR.

Methods

This prospective study involved 66 consecutive patients who underwent ARCR in 2019-2020 at our hospital. Overall, 23 and 43 shoulders were assigned to the IA and IBPB groups, respectively. We evaluated the visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at rest, during activity, and at night for the first 72 h postoperatively. We compared the results statistically between the groups. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

VAS scores for night pain in the IBPB group were significantly lower than those in the IA group for the first 24 h postoperatively (p = 0.017). In contrast, the same scores were significantly lower in the IA group than in the IBPB group at 72 h postoperatively (p = 0.024). Other scores were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusions

IBPB provides superior night pain control during the first 24 h postoperatively, and IA provides superior night pain control at 72 h postoperatively. However, there were no significant differences in other pain scores between the two groups.

Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks Are Associated With Increased Rates of Emergency Department Visits After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

The purpose of this study was to assess trends in the use of perioperative single and continuous peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) and their associations with emergency department (ED) visits after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) surgery. The authors used a large database from a private insurer to identify patients who received perioperative PNBs for arthroscopic RCR surgeries from 2007 to 2015. They analyzed patient demographics as well as trends in perioperative PNB use. They also assessed rates of single shot vs continuous PNB use and compared rates of postoperative ED visits according to PNB type. The rate of perioperative PNB for arthroscopic RCR was higher than previously reported (65.9%) and increased over time (52.8% in 2007 to 64.6% in 2015; P=.029). Single shot PNBs were more common than continuous, catheter-mediated PNBs (60.0% vs 6.6%; P<.001), although the use of continuous blocks increased at a greater rate during the study period. Patients who received a perioperative continuous PNB were significantly more likely to visit an ED within 7 days of their surgery than those who received a single shot PNB or no PNB (6.71% vs 4.78% vs 4.74%; P<.02). The rates of ED visits within each group did not change significantly over time. Continuous PNBs are increasingly common for patients undergoing arthroscopic RCR surgery but are associated with increased rates of postoperative ED visits. Studies are needed to identify the reasons for this increased rate of ED visits and strategies to decrease ED use. [Orthopedics. 2020; 43(2): 127-131.].

Intra-articular injection of steroids in the early postoperative period does not have an adverse effect on the clinical outcomes and the re-tear rate after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and structural integrity following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, either with intra-articular injection of corticosteroids in the early postoperative period using ultrasound guidance or without it.

METHODS

This study included 318 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for either a partial-thickness or small-to-medium-sized full-thickness rotator cuff tear from 2012 to 2015. Patients were divided into two groups based on the administration of an intra-articular corticosteroids injection at 3 months after the surgery: group A (with corticosteroid injection, n = 56) and group B (without corticosteroid injection, n = 262). Functional outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, subjective shoulder value (SSV), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, and active range of motion (ROM). Postoperative magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) was performed 6 months postoperatively to assess structural integrity.

RESULTS

At the 2-year follow-up, both groups showed no significant differences in VAS pain score (group A/B, 1.1 ± 0.9/1.1 ± 1.1), functional scores including SSV (88.5 ± 10.8/88.3 ± 10.0), ASES (90.8 ± 6.6/90.4 ± 6.9), and UCLA scores (30.2 ± 5.6/30.7 ± 5.2), and active ROM including forward flexion (151° ± 8°/153° ± 7°), external rotation (54° ± 5°/55° ± 7°), and internal rotation (10 ± 1/10 ± 2). Follow-up MRA imaging collected 6 months after surgery showed no significant difference in the re-tear rate (n.s.) between group A and B (n = 10/56, 17.9% and 45/262, 17.2%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Intra-articular corticosteroids injection in the early postoperative period after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair provided satisfactory pain relief and ROM improvement without increasing the re-tear rate or deteriorating clinical outcomes at the 2-year follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Sleep disturbances in orthopaedic trauma patients

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in orthopaedic trauma patients 3 months following surgery and to identify any subset(s) of patients at high risk for prolonged sleep disturbance.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

Level 1 Trauma Center.

Patient/Participants

All patients at an orthopaedic trauma clinic from May 3, 2016 to Feb 23, 2017.

Main outcome measurements

Baseline patient Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores compared to PSQI and ISI scores 3-months postoperatively. Both gender and age stratified data analyses were performed.

Results

Sixty-six patients met our inclusion criteria and completed both baseline and 3-month surveys. There were 44 males and 22 females. There was a significant increase in PSQI and ISI scores from baseline to 3 months across all patients. Further analysis revealed significant increases from baseline to 3 months in both PSQI and ISI scores for female patients but not male patients. There was a significant difference from baseline to 3 months in patients 50 years old and under but not for patients above 50 years old. No patients required revision surgery in the first 3 months.

Conclusions

More than half of all patients reported continued sleep disturbance 3 months postoperatively. Females are at particularly increased risk for sleep disturbance. These findings demonstrate that sleep disturbances merit attention in the early stages of the postoperative recovery process.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic Level II.

The effectiveness of prolotherapy on failed rotator cuff repair surgery

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of prolotherapy injections in the treatment of failed rotator cuff repair surgery.

Patients and methods

Between May 2014 and March 2016, a total of 15 patients (5 males, 10 females; mean age 49.4±10.7 years; range, 33 to 71 years) with failed rotator cuff repair surgery who had at least six months of complaints and were refractory to at least of three months of conservative methods were included. Ultrasound-guided prolotherapy injections were performed under aseptic conditions, and the patients were instructed to carry out a home-based exercise program. Clinical assessment of shoulder function was performed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) Index, patient satisfaction and shoulder range of motion. All patients were examined at baseline, at Week 3, 6, and 12 and at the final follow-up visit.

Results

The intra-group comparison showed that the patients achieved significant improvements at all time points, compared to baseline as measured by VAS, SPADI, WORC index, and shoulder range of motion (p<0.001). Twelve patients (80%) reported excellent or good outcomes.

Conclusion

Our study results show that prolotherapy is effective in the treatment of patients with failed rotator cuff repair surgery with significant improvements in the shoulder functions and pain relief.

Optimal dose of perineural dexmedetomidine for interscalene brachial plexus block to control postoperative pain in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery: A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant perineural dexmedetomidine can be used to prolong the analgesic effect of interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB). We investigated the optimal dose of dexmedetomidine in ISB for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

METHODS

One hundred patients scheduled for elective shoulder arthroscopic surgery were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind study. Ultrasound-guided ISB was performed before general anesthesia using 22 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% combined with 1, 1.5, or 2 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine (group D1, D2, and D3, respectively) or with normal saline as a control (group R, n = 25 per group). The primary outcome was the duration of analgesia (DOA), numeric pain rating scale (NRS), and consumption of additional analgesics during 36 h after ISB. Secondary outcome included durations of motor and sensory block (DOM and DOS), hemodynamic variables and sedation and dyspnea scores.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven patients completed the study. The DOS, DOM, and DOA were significantly longer in the dexmedetomidine groups than in group R. The DOA was significantly longer in group D3 than in groups D1 (P = .026) and D2 (P = .039). The DOA was 808.13 ± 179.97, 1032.60 ± 288.14, 1042.04 ± 188.13, and 1223.96 ± 238.06 min in groups R, D1, D2, and D3, respectively. The NRS score was significantly higher in group R than in the dexmedetomidine groups 12 h after ISB (P < .001) and significantly lower in group D3 than in the other groups 18 h after ISB (P = .02). The incidence of hypotension was higher in groups D2 and D3 than in group R during surgery (P = .008 and P = .011, respectively). There were no significant differences in consumption of rescue analgesics, sedation, and dyspnea scores between the study groups.

CONCLUSION

Perineural dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg could be the optimal dose in ISB for arthroscopic shoulder surgery in that it provides an adequate DOA. However, this dose was associated with increased risk of hypotension.

Predictors of Nurses' Intentions to Administer As-Needed Opioid Analgesics for Pain Relief to Postoperative Orthopaedic Patients in the Acute Care Setting

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery experience severe postoperative pain that is frequently undertreated. No study was found that examined the predictors of nurses' intentions to administer as needed (PRN) opioid analgesics for postoperative pain relief.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine what constructs from the Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM) can predict nurses' intentions to administer PRN opioid analgesics for pain relief to hospitalized postoperative orthopaedic patients.

METHODS

A nonexperimental, cross-sectional quantitative format was used. The sample consisted of 800 nurses. Data collection was done by survey.

RESULTS

Path analysis revealed the significant predictors of nurses' intention to administer opioid analgesics to be self-efficacy (β= 0.15), normative beliefs (β= 0.21), and salience (importance) of the behavior (β= 0.25).

CONCLUSION

The study showed that the IBM constructs are useful for predicting intentions toward performance of a professional behavior. The inclusion of self-efficacy, underlying beliefs, and salience of the behavior was new and unique contributions to the existing body of knowledge.

Intravenous Dexmedetomidine Infusion Compared with that of Fentanyl in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery under General Anesthesia

Background

Anesthesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery is challenging due to the need for oligaemic surgical field as well as a good postoperative recovery profile.

Aim

The present study was prospective, randomized to evaluate the efficacy of dexmdetomidine infusion compared to that of fentanyl in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia.

Patients and Methods

A total of 60 patients aged from thirty to fifty years, American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I/II of either sex for arthroscopic shoulder surgery, were included. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Group I received dexmedetomidine loading 1 μg/kg over 10 min followed by maintenance 0.5 μg/kg/h and Group II Fentanyl loading 1 μg/kg followed by maintenance 0.5 μg/kg/h.

Measurements

Hemodynamic readings (Heart rate HR, and mean arterial blood pressure MAP) were recorded after the start of the study drug infusion (T1), after intubation (T2), then every 15 minutes till the end of surgery (T15, T30, T45, T60, T75, T90). In the PACU, MAP, and HR were recorded on arrival, after 30 min, 1 hr, and 2 hrs (R0, R30, R1 hr, R2 hr) Postoperative analgesia was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), Modified Observers's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation OAA/S was recorded on arrival to PACU.

Results

This study showed that in the dexmedatomidine group there was statistically significant decrease of MAP and HR after drug infusion up to two hours in the recovery period, more sedation, better control of pain and surgeon satisfaction.

Conclusion

Iv infusion of dexamedatomidine may be an attractive option during arthroscopic shoulder surgery as it provided a better hypotensive anesthesia by lowering MAP and HR which leads to better surgical field and surgeon satisfaction than iv infusion fentanyl along with a better postoperative VAS.

Arthroscopic bankart surgery: Does gabapentin reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption? A triple-blinded randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The role of gabapentin as preemptive analgesia in managing acute pain following shoulder bankart arthroscopy is controversial and the studies addressing this issue are limited.

HYPOTHESIS

The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of preemptive single dose of gabapentin on pain management and opioid consumption in patients undergoing arthroscopic bankart surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the current triple-blinded randomized clinical trial, 76 eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups either taking gabapentin 600mg (G group) or placebo (P group). The primary outcomes were pain intensity assessed based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and secondary outcomes were opioid consumption and side effects, dizziness, sedation, nausea and vomiting at 6h and 24h follow-up visits.

RESULTS

The pain intensity were not significantly different between the G and P groups (P>0.05). The opioid consumption, however, was significantly reduced in G group at both 6h and 24h follow-up visits (P<0.001). Dizziness and sedation were similar in both groups. Nausea and vomiting were significantly lower in G group only at 6h visit but similar at 24h follow-up visit (P<0.001).

DISCUSSION

The preemptive single dose of gabapentin 600mg administered prior to arthroscopic bankart surgery does not decrease post-operation pain, but reduces opioid consumption. Gabapentin restrained postoperative nausea and vomiting for a short while (less than 6h).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, treatment study.

Efficacy of a Subacromial Corticosteroid Injection for Persistent Pain After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

BACKGROUND

Corticosteroid injections have been widely used for reducing shoulder pain. However, catastrophic complications induced by corticosteroid such as infections and tendon degeneration have made surgeons hesitant to use a corticosteroid injection as a pain control modality, especially during the postoperative recovery phase.

PURPOSE

To determine the effectiveness and safety of a subacromial corticosteroid injection for persistent pain control during the recovery period and to analyze the factors causing persistent pain after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A total of 458 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were included in this study. Patient-specific parameters, tear size and pattern, and pain intensity were reviewed. Seventy-two patients were administered a postoperative subacromial corticosteroid injection under ultrasound guidance. The corticosteroid injection was administered to patients who awakened overnight because of constant severe shoulder pain or whose pain was exacerbated at the time of rehabilitation exercises within 8 weeks after surgery. Pain intensity, patient satisfaction, and functional outcomes using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant scores were compared between the patients with and without a subacromial corticosteroid injection. The retear rate was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

In patients with an injection, the mean (±SD) visual analog scale for pain (pVAS) score was 7.7 ± 1.2 at the time of the injection. This significantly decreased to 2.3 ± 1.4 at the end of the first month after the injection, demonstrating a 70.2% reduction in pain (P < .01). At 3 months after the injection, the mean pVAS score was 1.2 ± 1.8. Functional outcomes at final follow-up showed no significant differences between patients with and without an injection (ASES score: 90.1 ± 14.6 with injection, 91.9 ± 8.2 without injection [P = .91]; Constant score: 89.1 ± 12.9 with injection, 84.5 ± 13.0 without injection [P = .17]). Patients with an injection showed no significant increase in the retear rate (6.8% with injection, 18.4% without injection; P = .06). According to the tear pattern, L-shaped rotator cuff tears (41.8%) showed a higher occurrence of severe postoperative persistent pain. Preoperative shoulder stiffness was revealed as a predisposing factor for persistent pain (odds ratio, 0.2; P = .04).

CONCLUSION

A subacromial corticosteroid injection can be considered as a useful and safe modality for the treatment of patients having severe persistent pain during the recovery phase after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Effect of a sleep aid in analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and safety of a sleep aid for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-eight patients were prospectively assigned to either the zolpidem group (multimodal analgesia+zolpidem; 39 patients) or the control group (multimodal analgesia; 39 patients). Self-rated pain levels were assessed twice a day using a visual analog scale (VAS). The need for additional rescue analgesic, duration of functional recovery, and adverse effects were assessed for the first 5 days after surgery.

RESULTS

The mean number of times that additional rescue analgesic was required during 5 days after surgery was 2.1±2.0 in the zolpidem group and 3.3±2.8 in the control group, a significant difference. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean VAS pain scores during the first 5 days after surgery, although the zolpidem group had lower VAS pain scores than the control group. Additionally, there were no significant differences in duration of functional recovery and adverse effects between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The use of zolpidem for analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair provided a significant reduction in the need for rescue analgesic without increasing adverse effects. Nevertheless, mean VAS pain scores during the first 5 days after surgery did not differ between the zolpidem group and the control group.

Sleep disturbance after fracture is related to emotional well-being rather than functional result

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the rate, longitudinal improvement, and risk factors of sleep disturbance after 4 common orthopaedic traumatic conditions.

METHODS

The functional status of 1095 patients was prospectively assessed using validated questionnaires for patients with acute proximal humerus (n = 111), distal radius (n = 440), tibial plateau (n = 109), and ankle fractures (n = 435). Patient reported sleep difficulty was compared with the overall functional and emotional status of each patient at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.

RESULTS

Sleep difficulty at 3-month follow-up was reported in 41% of patients with proximal humerus fracture, 25% of patients with distal radius fracture, 36% of patients with tibial plateau, and 19% of patients with ankle fracture. By 12-month follow-up, less than 20% of patients with all fracture types reported sleep difficulty. At 12-month follow-up, the SF-36 Mental Health category for patients with distal radius fractures (P = 0.001) and the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Emotional category for patients with tibial plateau fractures (P = 0.024) and ankle fractures (P ≤ 0.001) were independent predictors of poor sleep, whereas the respective functional status categories were not.

CONCLUSIONS

At 12-month follow-up, poor sleep was independently associated with poor emotional status but not associated with poor functional status. The mental health status of patients with sleep difficulty in the latter stages of fracture healing should be carefully assessed to provide the highest level of care. The results of this study should allow orthopaedic trauma surgeons to counsel patients regarding expectations of difficulty sleeping after acute fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic level II. See Instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Efficacy of interscalene block combined with multimodal pain control for postoperative analgesia after rotator cuff repair

PURPOSE

The aim of the study reported here was to compare the efficacy and safety of postoperative analgesia provided by interscalene block with multimodal pain control (IB-MPC) versus that provided by multimodal pain control (MPC) alone after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

METHODS

Sixty consecutive patients were assigned to either the IB-MPC group (30 patients) or the MPC group (30 patients). Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores before surgery and through day 5 after surgery, consumption of rescue analgesic, adverse effects and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Mean VAS pain scores immediately after surgery and on days 1 through 5 after surgery were 3.9 ± 2.6, 4.4 ± 1.5, 3.4 ± 1.3, 2.7 ± 1.3, 2.4 ± 1.2, and 2.0 ± 1.0, respectively, in the IB-MPC group and 6.2 ± 1.8, 4.1 ± 1.7, 3.2 ± 1.9, 2.7 ± 1.4, 2.5 ± 1.3, and 2.0 ± 1.2, respectively, in the MPC group. The IB-MPC group had significantly lower VAS pain score immediately after surgery than the MPC group did (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences regarding consumption of rescue analgesic or adverse effects between the two groups (n.s.). In the IB-MPC group, complications related to interscalene block included tingling of the hand in three patients and numbness of the neck and ear in two. However, these symptoms resolved spontaneously within a few days. No patients had major complications related to interscalene block.

CONCLUSIONS

IB-MPC achieved better pain control immediately after surgery than MPC alone, without major complications related to interscalene block. It is an effective and safe method for providing postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prospective Comparative Study, Prognosis Study, Level II.

A randomized study of the effectiveness of suprascapular nerve block in patient satisfaction and outcome after arthroscopic subacromial decompression

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) block in pain reduction after arthroscopic subacromial decompression operations and its influence on patient satisfaction. Furthermore, we wanted to evaluate whether better perioperative pain management could positively influence postoperative shoulder function.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial, 3 groups of patients--each with 15 participants--were treated with SSN block (10 mL of 1% ropivacaine), placebo, or a subacromial infiltration of local anesthesia (20 mL of 1% ropivacaine). Preoperative and postoperative pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale. Functional outcome was measured by the Constant-Murley score, and patient satisfaction was measured anecdotally by interview 2 days, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

The SSN group reported significantly lower levels of postoperative pain, required significantly less analgesia, had better range of motion, and had higher levels of postoperative satisfaction in comparison to the subacromial infiltration group and placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients treated with SSN blocks had less pain overall, which led to a decreased need for analgesics in comparison to the subacromial infiltration and placebo groups. Furthermore, patients in the SSN-blocked group achieved better postoperative ROM and were significantly more satisfied after surgery.

Multimodal approach to postoperative pain control in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair

PURPOSE

This prospective study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness and safety of a multimodal pain control protocol with those of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia in rotator cuff repair.

METHODS

Seventy patients scheduled for rotator cuff repair were randomized to either a multimodal pain control group (group 1, 40 patients) or an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia group (group 2, 30 patients). We compared these two groups with respect to level of pain before surgery to the fifth postoperative day, duration of postoperative rehabilitation, consumption of additional analgesics, and adverse effects.

RESULTS

Mean visual analogue scale scores immediately after surgery (day 0) and on postoperative days 1-5 were 6.9, 5.5, 4.3, 3.3, 3.0, and 2.6 in group 1 and 7.8, 5.9, 4.4, 4.7, 4.3, and 3.7 in group 2. Pain relief was significantly better in group 1 on days 0, 3, 4, and 5 (P = 0.026, 0.006, 0.010, and 0.009, respectively). Furthermore, functional recovery occurred earlier in group 1. No significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, and headache (n.s.), but group 1 was found to be significantly less likely to experience dizziness or urticaria (P = 0.007, 0.017, respectively). One other significant difference was observed: 1 patient (2.5%) in group 1 and 6 patients (20%) in group 2 discontinued regimen because of medication-related adverse effects (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

The multimodal pain control protocol was found to offer more effective postoperative pain control with fewer adverse effects than intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. However, achieving adequate pain control within the first 48 h of surgery remains challenging, and thus, the developments of more effective and safer multimodal pain control protocols are required.