Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40852109›Full record

ArticleMalaysian orthopaedic journal2025

Ambulatory Catheter-based Interscalene Block for Proximal Humerus Fracture Rehabilitation: Safety, Efficacy and Lessons from a Pilot Study.

Mfk Nah, Z Q Seng, Yjb Tan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Malaysian orthopaedic journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Mfk NahDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Z Q SengDepartment of Anaesthesiology, Woodlands Health Campus, Singapore.
Yjb TanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Woodlands Health Campus, Singapore.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are associated with morbidity/functional impairment. Rehabilitation adherence is crucial to regain independent function yet is often hindered by pain. This pilot study aims to analyse the safety and efficacy of ambulatory catheter-based interscalene blocks (CISBs) as analgesia in post-surgical PHF patients and summarise learning points to guide further implementation/study of ambulatory CISB. Materials and methods: This pilot study selected PHF patients who were >18yo, surgically treated and received ambulatory CISB (CISB ≥72 hours). Data was derived from clinical documentation (anaesthetist/surgeon/therapist reviews). Clinical outcomes (e.g. range of motion, Quick Disability of Arm/Shoulder/Hand (qDASH) scores), dynamic/resting pain scores and incidence of CISB-related complications were collected. Results: Twelve patients were selected with mean ambulatory CISB duration of 9.5 days. All patients improved clinically, with means improvements of +64.6° and +61.9° for passive flexion and abduction, and reduction of 29.8 in qDASH after 3 months. Two patients experienced neurological complications (phrenic nerve palsy; medial forearm numbness) while six patients experienced catheter-based complications (dislodgment, erythema). All complications were self-limiting, resolving with removal of catheter. Conclusion: Ambulatory CISB can minimise pain and facilitate rehabilitation for PHF patients. Learning points include (1) complications are predictable and incidence/physiological impact on patients can be minimised via appropriate patient selection, (2) standardised protocols (e.g. tunnelling of catheters) help maximise utility of ambulatory CISB while minimising complications, (3) regular monitoring/anticipation of complications facilitate early detection and prompt management. These learning points, combined with existing literature, can be adapted to future applications of ambulatory CISB to better study its safety and efficacy.

Indexed as

nerve block cathetersorthopaedic surgerypost-operative painproximal humerus fracture

Identifiers

PMID40852109
PMCPMC12368441

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.