Reduction of shoulder dislocations under interscalene brachial blockade

Even under short sedation, reduction of shoulder dislocations is often difficult, because of the reflectory contraction of the muscles around the humeroglenoidal joint in response to pain. Administration of interscalene brachial blockade produces analgesia and complete relaxation of the muscles of the shoulder joint. We report on ten consecutive shoulder dislocations which were reduced while the patients were under interscalene brachial blockade. In all cases, reduction was easy and free from complications.