Analgesic efficacy of suprascapular nerve block versus combined suprascapular and axillary nerve block in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy: A prospective, randomized, comparative study

Abstract

Background and aim: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of combined suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and axillary nerve block (ANB) with SSNB alone for analgesia after shoulder arthroscopy in terms of level of pain scores, total analgesic consumption and patient satisfaction in 24 hours. Methods: Forty one patients posted for shoulder arthroscopy were randomly allocated into two groups, group S (n=20), receiving SSNB and group C (n=21) receiving combined SSNB and ANB. Visual analogue scale (VAS) both at rest and during movement at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 hours and at the time of first demand, total consumption of analgesics in 24 hours and patient satisfaction score at 12 and 24 hours were noted. Results: The VAS scores both at rest and during movement were significantly less in group C at 1, 6, 12 hours and at the time of first demand of analgesic (p < 0.05). Compared to group S, group C had a longer pain free duration (154.3 ± 11.41 min vs 36.60 ± 6.553 min; p < 0.001) and lesser cumulative consumption of pethidine (300.0 ± 8.894 mg vs 336.8 ± 13.27 mg; p = 0.0256). The satisfaction level was better in group C at 12 hours (p = 0.002) but comparable to the group S at 24 hours (p= 0.0673). Conclusion: Combined SSNB and ANB provided better pain relief in first 12 hours, better patient satisfaction in the first 12 hours and decreased overall consumption of analgesics in the first 24 hours compared to SSNB alone.