Suprascapular Nerve Block Efficacy for Shoulder Surgery

Suprascapular Nerve Block Efficacy for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Status

UNKNOWN

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT04364542

Enrollment

Registered

2020-04-28

Start date

2020-05-10

Completion date

2021-08-30

Last updated

2020-04-28

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

Conditions

Shoulder Pain, Postoperative Pain, Rotator Cuff Tears, Anesthesia, Anesthesia, Local

Keywords

Shoulder surgery, Pain, Brachial plexus blockage, Anesthesia, Interscalene blockage, Opioid

Brief summary

This study evaluates the analgesia induced by suprascapular nerve block in comparison to interscalene nerve block in arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs. The experimental and the control group will receive the suprascapular nerve block and interscalene nerve block, respectively.

Detailed description

Peripheral nerve blocks are widely used for postsurgical analgesia. Interscalene nerve block provides a total brachial plexus motor and sensitive blockade while the suprascapular nerve block produces only a specific peripheral blockade. The interscalene nerve block is the most frequently used anesthesia technique and requires a longer learning curve. Complications related to this technique may be more severe and frequent in comparison to other regional anesthesia techniques. The suprascapular nerve block yields less adverse effects, discomfort and rebound effect as this technique does not completely block the upper limb motor function.

Interventions

PROCEDURESuprascapular nerve block

The patient lies supine in beach chair position with surgical drapes on. The anatomical landmarks are outlined and the infiltration spot is identified. The block is performed with 10 ml ropivacaine 0.75%.

PROCEDUREInterscalene Nerve Block

The patient lies supine position with the head turned to the contralateral side to the block. A linear high-frequency ultrasound probe is used for identifying the roots of supraclavicular brachial plexus using the traceback technique. The block is performed with 15 ml ropivacaine 0.5%.

PROCEDUREArthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Conventional arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Triple (Participant, Investigator, and Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

2 groups of patients. Randomization into groups SSNB or ISB as per randomization list, for a total of 98 patients

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 80 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Age between 18 and 80 years old * Confirmed rotator cuff tear by magnetic resonance imaging

Exclusion criteria

* Irreparable cuff tears (retracted lesions to the glenoid rim and/or fourth grade fatty infiltration) * Partial repair of cuff tears (immobile lesions) * Rheumatic diseases * Neck-related shoulder pain * Glenohumeral instability or osteoarthritis

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Pain intensity: Numeric Pain Rating Scale	1 hour after surgery	Numeric Pain Rating Scale - no pain (0), unbearable pain (10)

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Opiate Consumption	Postoperative hours 1-72	Total amount of narcotics consumed during the postoperative period measured in morphine equivalents (OME).

Countries

Brazil

Contacts

Primary ContactIvan F Simionato, MD

simionato.md@gmail.com+5551992077188

Backup ContactRodrigo PG Barreto, PhD

rodrigopyy@gmail.com+5551985861181

Outcome results

None listed

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