Suprascapular nerve block versus interscalene block for analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Objective: To retrospectively compare the efficacy of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) versus interscalene block (ISB) for analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). Methods: Ninety-seven patients who underwent ARCR were retrospectively divided into three groups. Group S comprised 33 patients who received SSNB, group I comprised 52 patients who received ISB, and group C comprised 12 patients who received a glenohumeral injection as a control. SSNB and ISB were performed with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine before surgery, while glenohumeral injection was performed after surgery. The Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were recorded at 1,3, and 6 h and 1, 3, and 6 days postoperatively. The total number of additional analgesic administrations was also counted for 6 days postoperatively. Results: Compared with group C, the VAS pain score was significantly lower in group S at 1 h and 6 days postoperatively, and in group I at 1 and 3 h postoperatively. There were no significant differences between groups S and I in the VAS pain scores, or the administration of additional analgesia. There were no major complications associated with SSNB or ISB. Conclusion: There were no significant differences between SSNB and ISB in the duration of analgesia and the VAS pain scores after ARCR.