• Hans-Christian Jeske, Franz Kralinger, Markus Wambacher, Florian Perwanger, Rebecca Schoepf, Juergen Oberladstaetter, Dietmar Krappinger, Christian Dallapozza, and Frank Hoffmann.
• Department of Traumatology and Sports Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
• Arthroscopy. 2011 Oct 1;27(10):1323-8.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) block in pain reduction after arthroscopic subacromial decompression operations and its influence on patient satisfaction. Furthermore, we wanted to evaluate whether better perioperative pain management could positively influence postoperative shoulder function.MethodsIn this prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial, 3 groups of patients--each with 15 participants--were treated with SSN block (10 mL of 1% ropivacaine), placebo, or a subacromial infiltration of local anesthesia (20 mL of 1% ropivacaine). Preoperative and postoperative pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale. Functional outcome was measured by the Constant-Murley score, and patient satisfaction was measured anecdotally by interview 2 days, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks after surgery.ResultsThe SSN group reported significantly lower levels of postoperative pain, required significantly less analgesia, had better range of motion, and had higher levels of postoperative satisfaction in comparison to the subacromial infiltration group and placebo group.ConclusionsPatients treated with SSN blocks had less pain overall, which led to a decreased need for analgesics in comparison to the subacromial infiltration and placebo groups. Furthermore, patients in the SSN-blocked group achieved better postoperative ROM and were significantly more satisfied after surgery.Copyright © 2011 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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