Efficacy of Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block Alone Versus Combination With Suprascapular Nerve Block in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Surgeries: A Single-Blind, Randomized Trial.

Background and aim The regional anesthesia technique is commonly used for upper extremity surgery as an alternative to general anesthesia. The study aimed to compare the efficacy of infraclavicular brachial plexus block (BPB) and a combination of infraclavicular brachial plexus block with suprascapular nerve block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing shoulder surgeries. Method A total of 62 patients of both sexes with the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I/II/III, aged between 18 and 65 years, and undergoing shoulder surgery, were included in this prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Patients were equally allocated into two groups: 31 in group A and 31 in group B. After pre-anesthetic evaluation, the purpose and protocol of the study were explained to patients, and informed consent was obtained. Thirty-one patients in group A were given infraclavicular brachial plexus block using 30 ml 0.375% bupivacaine while 31 patients in group B were given a combination of infraclavicular brachial plexus block using 30 ml 0.375% bupivacaine and suprascapular nerve block using 5 ml 0.375% bupivacaine. Blocks were given using ultrasound guidance and a peripheral nerve stimulator; the suprascapular block was given in the sitting position while the infraclavicular block was provided in the supine position. General anesthesia was administered in the operation theatre in the supine position after the administration of blocks. The pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the satisfaction score was assessed by the numeric rating scale (NRS). The Mann-Whitney U test was applied for comparison of pain between the two groups. The chi-square test was utilized for comparing the categorical variables. Result The postoperative pain was significantly lower (p<0.001) in group B as compared to group A at all the periods of observation, i.e., 0h (2.77±0.72 vs. 5.42±0.77), 6h (3.89±0.70 vs. 5.94±0.73), 12h (5.66±0.93 vs. 6.58±0.88), and 24h (6.16±0.80 vs. 6.74±0.90). These findings illustrate that group B patients who received a combination of infraclavicular brachial plexus block and suprascapular nerve block for shoulder surgeries had better pain relief than group A patients who received only the infraclavicular approach. The mean NRS score of patient satisfaction in group B (7.26±0.58) was significantly higher (p<0.001) in comparison to group A (6.16±0.64). Diaphragmatic palsy was observed in only one case in group A and none in group B. No other complication was observed in any of the patients during the study period. Conclusion The combination of infraclavicular brachial plexus block and suprascapular nerve block displays a positive postoperative analgesic profile with less usage of rescue analgesic doses and better patient satisfaction after shoulder surgery.