A comparative study between ultrasound-guided interscalene and ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve blocks in postoperative pain and hand motor power affection in shoulder scope surgeries

Abstract

Background Interscalene approach for brachial plexus block is recognized as the gold standard technique for postoperative pain control after shoulder scope surgeries. However, it is associated with major adverse effects and patient discomfort due to paralysis of the hand muscles. The suprascapular nerve block is considered to be a safe and effective alternative to interscalene nerve block for shoulder surgery without affecting the motor function of the hand muscles and other serious complications of interscalene nerve block, especially in ambulatory surgery. The aim of this study is to compare interscalene and suprascapular nerve block in terms of postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and hand grip strength in shoulderscopic surgeries. This prospective, randomized trial was done in Ain Shams University Hospitals. A sample of 50 patients was divided into two groups; 25 patients in each group, namely Group ISB (interscalene approach of brachial plexus block) and Group SSNB (suprascapular nerve block). Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess shoulder pain at rest and upon flexion in the first 24 h. The degree of hand motor power affection, the total amount of opioids used as rescue analgesia, and the incidence of complications were also recorded. Results The findings revealed no statistically significant difference between groups (P-value > 0.05) in pain control all over the 24 h by VAS score at rest and at arm flexion. SSNB received a larger total narcotic dose (60 ± 26.02) mg of pethidine than ISB (52 ± 22.73). However, there was no statistical difference between them throughout the 24 h regarding total narcotic consumption and 1st time for pethidine administration. The ISB group showed a statistically significant reduction in the hand power grip strength postoperatively (83.68 ± 4.75%). Conclusions The results of the present study favor SSNB as the first choice of pain control after shoulderscopic surgeries for a patient scheduled for early home discharge because of the complete recovery of the hand muscles’ motor power. Trial registration This study was registered on PACTR (www.pactr.org) database; identification number for the registry is PACTR202201840526231.