Analgesic Efficacy of US-Guided Interscalene Block Versus Supraclavicular Block for Ambulatory Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

ISB were performed in the same manner by one of the two anesthesiologists in our team: (i) patients were monitored, after sedation with sublingual midazolam (0.1 mg/kg) + a single bolus of intravenous (IV) ketamine (0.2 mg/kg); (ii) ultrasound-guidance was carried out using a Kontron® or General Electric® ultrasound machine; (iii) neurostimulation was performed with a Stimuplex HNS® 12 set at 0.1 ms, 1 Hz and 1 mA stimulation, in sentinel mode, with the aim of securing the approach of the needle; (iv) a single perineural injection was performed with a 50 mm Vygon® needle containing a mixture of 100 mg levobupivacaine (20 mL, 0.5%) and clonidine (1 µg/kg patient) as is the local common protocol and in the absence of contraindications.

SCB were performed in the same manner by one of the two anesthesiologists in our team: (i) patients were monitored, after sedation with sublingual midazolam (0.1 mg/kg) + a single bolus of intravenous (IV) ketamine (0.2 mg/kg); (ii) ultrasound-guidance was carried out using a Kontron® or General Electric® ultrasound machine; (iii) neurostimulation was performed with a Stimuplex HNS® 12 set at 0.1 ms, 1 Hz and 1 mA stimulation, in sentinel mode, with the aim of securing the approach of the needle; (iv) a single perineural injection was performed with a 50 mm Vygon® needle containing a mixture of 100 mg levobupivacaine (20 mL, 0.5%) and clonidine (1 µg/kg patient) as is the local common protocol and in the absence of contraindications.