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OBJECTIVES In arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery for postoperative analgesia opioids, nonsteroid analgesics, and local anesthetics can be used. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness, additional analgesic requirements, patients satisfaction, and complications of single-shot interscalene and supraclavicular blocks. METHODS After obtaining the ethics committee's approval and informed consent, 50 ASA I-II patients were randomized to either the interscalene (GISB) or supraclavicular (GSCB) group. Preoperatively, patients received an ultrasonography-guided block using 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. In the postoperative period, morphine patient-controlled analgesia was administered as a 0.3-mg/h basal dose and 1-mg bolus dose, with a 20-min lockout time. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS; 0-10 cm) scores of the patients were evaluated at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h postoperatively; additional analgesic requirements, adverse effects, and complications were recorded. Patient satisfaction (PS) scores were evaluated after 24 h. RESULTS VAS scores at 4 h were lower in the GSCB group than in the GISB group, and the VAS scores at 8, 12, and 24 h were lower in the GISB group than in the GSCB group, with no statistical significance. Additional analgesic requirements was 28% in the GISB group and 68% in the GSCB group (p < 0.05). Total morphine consumption was lower in the GISB group than in the GSCB group (18.95±9.2 mg vs. 30.6 ± 9.6 mg; p < 0.001). PS scores were higher in the GISB group than in the GSCB group (7.0±1.0 vs. 6.1±0.9; p < 0.01). Adverse effects and complication rates were similar in both the groups. In GISB group, seven patients (28%) had nausea/vomiting, whereas in the GSCB group, 12 patients (48%) had nausea/vomiting. This difference was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION Supraclavicular block can be considered as an alternative to interscalene block for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

OBJECTIVES Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery can result in severe postoperative pain. We compared a continuous subacromial infusion to a continuous interscalene block with levobupivacaine for patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery. METHODS Sixty patients were randomized to two groups: 1) interscalene block with 0.5% levobupivacaine (30 mL) followed by a postoperative subacromial infusion: 0.125% levobupivacaine 5 mL/h basal infusion, 5 mL bolus dose and a 20 min lockout time or; 2) interscalene block with 0.5% levobupivacaine (30 mL) followed by a postoperative interscalene infusion: 0.125% levobupivacaine 5 mL/h basal infusion, 5 mL bolus dose and a 20 min lockout time. Infusions were maintained for 48 hours. RESULTS The VAS scores in the postanesthesia care unit and at 4 h were not different. The VAS scores at 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h were lower than 4 in both groups; but they were significantly lower in the interscalene group. Additional analgesic requirements were lower in the interscalene group (16.6% vs 53.3%, p