Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Combined With Suprascapular Nerve Block

ISB was performed by one anesthesiologist under ultrasound-guidance. The superior, middle, and inferior trunks of the brachial plexus were identified approximately 2 cm above the clavicle. A 50 mm 22-gauge needle was introduced percutaneously using an out-of-plane technique. The needle was placed beside each trunk in succession, and 2.5 mL ropivacaine was injected into each site. The total volume of ropivacaine used for ISB was 7.5 mL.

At the end of the surgery, SSNB was performed under arthroscopic guidance by one shoulder arthroscopist. The suprascapular ligament was found using the lateral portal for visualization. The supraclavicular ligament was visualized at the end of the conoid ligament when the arthroscope was advanced following the coracoclavicular ligament. A 23-gauge spinal needle was introduced in a posteroanterior direction at a 20° angle percutaneously and 7 cm medial to the lateral margin of the acromion. Then, the needle was placed at the upper margin of the suprascapular ligament and advanced slightly under arthroscopy-guidance. After suctioning the saline from the portal, the injection material was administered according to the random assignment.

All the regional blocks in this study were performed using ropivacaine, except for arthroscopy-guided SSNB using placebo (10 mL normal saline)

All the regional blocks in this study were performed using 10mL ropivacaine.