ADDITION OF FENTANYL TO LEVOBUPIVACAINE DECREASES POSTOPERATIVE PAIN DURING ARTHROSCOPIC SHOULDER SURGERY UNDER INTERSCALENE BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK

Background and Aim: Interscalene brachial plexus block is a common technique used for perioperative pain management in patients undergoing shoulder surgery. This study aimed to determine the analgesic efficacy and hemodynamic effects of the addition of fentanyl to levobupivacaine interscalene brachial plexus block for shoulder surgery. Material and methods: This study included 39 patients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia. Intraoperative blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured. Patients in group A were administered 10 mL of 2% prilocaine + 13 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine + 7 mL of 0.09% NaCl, and those in group B were administered 10 mL of 2% prilocaine + 13 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine + 1 mL of fentanyl (50 mu g) + 6 mL of 0.09% NaCl. Mean arterial BP and HR were recorded before, and then 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after surgical incision. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain score was assessed preoperatively, and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h postsurgery. Results: Group A and Group B did not differ significantly in terms of mean arterial BP, and HR did not differ significantly between the 2 groups at any time point. Postoperative VAS pain scores were significantly lower in group B than in group A 1, 3, and 6 h postsurgery. Conclusion: Interscalene brachial plexus block performed with the addition of fentanyl improves postoperative pain control.