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Interscalene and Combined Supra Scapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks in Rotator Cuff Repair

A Randomized Comparison of Inter Scalene and Combined Supra Scapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks for Postoperative Pain Relief in Arthroscopic Shoulder Rotator Cuff Repair

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01730573
Enrollment
60
Registered
2012-11-21
Start date
2012-11-30
Completion date
2014-08-31
Last updated
2017-02-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Disorder of Rotator Cuff

Keywords

interscalene, suprascapular, axillary

Brief summary

Primary objective of this study is to prospectively compare and evaluate efficacy as well as note side effects of the interscalene block and combined suprascapular and axillary nerve block for ambulatory arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Detailed description

Patients having elective arthroscopic rotator cuff repair will be randomized to one of the two groups. Group 1: This group will receive Interscalene block (ultrasound guided and nerve stimulator aided) followed by a general anesthesia. Group 2: This group will receive Suprascapular and Axillary nerve block (ultrasound guided and nerve stimulator aided) followed by a general anesthesia. Performance time, quality and efficacy as well as any side-effects of the blocks will be evaluated in terms of pain scores in recovery room, after 4- 6 hours and the next morning, opioid usage and patient satisfaction. Primary hypothesis: • Combined Suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks provide similar postoperative analgesia as compared to interscalene block for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Secondary hypothesis • Interscalene block is associated with more side effects and complications as compared to suprascapular nerve block and axillary nerve block.

Interventions

PROCEDUREinterscalene block

This arm patients will receive inter scalene block which will be ultrasound and nerve stimulator guided.

PROCEDURESuprascapular and Axillary nerve block

This arm patients will receive Suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks which will be ultrasound guided and nerve stimulator guided.

Sponsors

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Elective shoulder arthroscopic rotator cuff repair * ASA I - III (American Society of Anaesthesia Classification)

Exclusion criteria

* ASA IV or higher ( American Society of Anaesthesia Classification) * Obesity: BMI \>35 * Narcotic Abuse/ Drug dependency * Major Neurologic deficits * Allergy to local anesthetics * Infection in the site of the puncture * Mental impairment

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Analgesic Efficacyone yearVisual Analogue scores for pain will be analyzed using chi-squared test. Interscalene block (ISB) of the brachial plexus has been demonstrated to be one of the most effective analgesic modality during arthroscopic shoulder surgery. However, despite its (ISB) time-tested record of relative safety, ISB is associated with some complications. These could be central nervous system, respiratory and cardiovascular complications. These side effects and complications are based upon the anatomy of the brachial plexus at this level.Recently, suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks have been used to control postoperative shoulder pain. The study will try to find out whether combined supra scapular and axillary nerve blocks are as effective in pain control as compared to inter scalene block.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Side effects1 yearThe study will try to find out whether combined supra scapular and axillary nerve blocks are associated with less side effects as compared to inter scalene block.

Other

MeasureTime frame
Patient satisfaction1 year

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026