Comparison of shoulder anterior capsular block and interscalene brachial plexus block for shoulder arthroscopy: a preliminary analysis

BACKGROUND: This study aims to reveal the perioperative analgesic efficacy of a new technique, anterior capsular shoulder block, in treating pain after shoulder arthroscopy compared to the interscalene brachial plexus block.METHODS: The study design is randomized, prospective, interventional, standardized and double-blind in the setting of orthopedic operating room and orthopedic postoperative ward. Forty patients between 18-90 years of age and with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I to III who received arthroscopic cuff repair surgery were randomized into two (1:1 distribution; N.=20) groups. The interventions were interscalene brachial plexus block for Group A and shoulder anterior capsular block for Group B. Primary measurements were pain scores within 48 hours. Secondarily total analgesia requirement, intraoperative heart rate and blood pressure, arthroscopic image quality were evaluated. RESULTS: Pain scores within postoperative 48 hours were similar between SHAC and ISB groups with no significant difference (P>0.05). Total analgesia requirement, intraoperative and postoperative rescue analgesia, was also similar with no significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the anterior capsular shoulder block is an effective alternative with similar results to the interscalene brachial plexus block for managing pain after shoulder arthroscopy.