![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Shoulder surgery is one of the most common ambulatory orthopedic procedures. Advances in arthroscopic techniques have resulted in decreased recovery times and complication rates. However, postoperative analgesia is a major challenge. Interscalene nerve block remains the most commonly used peripheral nerve block for shoulder surgery. It has a significant analgesic benefit postoperatively, thus allowing early discharge and lowering opioid consumption. However, its benefits are opposed by high rates of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. This side effect prevents its use among patients with significant pulmonary disease. So newer regional anesthesia techniques should be available to provide adequate analgesia and decrease the incidence of phrenic nerve palsy. The superior trunk block is a refinement of the conventional interscalene block technique. The superior trunk is formed by the fusion of C5and C6 nerve roots, and therefore local anesthetic injection around the superior trunk should produce similar analgesia of the shoulder because all the terminal nerves innervating the shoulder arise distal to the superior trunk. Moreover, the site of injection is further away from the phrenic nerve, and this should theoretically reduce the risk of hemi diaphragmatic paralysis. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to detect the occurrence of diaphragmatic movement affection in ultrasound guided selective superior trunk block and interscalene block in shoulder arthroscopy. Patients and methods We investigated sixty-eight patients scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery of both sex aged 18 to 80 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II. Patients with pre-existing neuropathy in the operated limb, ASA ≥ III, coagulation disorders, known allergy to local anesthetics, local infection at the puncture site, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or respiratory failure,block failure, pregnancy, breast-feeding, and BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 were excluded. Patients who refused or couldn’t cooperate were also excluded. They were randomized by use of sealed envelopes into two groups: interscalene group and selective superior trunk group with (34) patients in each.. In both groups ultrasound guided ISB or STB was done followed by induction of general anesthesia. |