Interscalene block in the context of enhanced recovery for shoulder: A case series

The application of enhanced recovery in shoulder surgery has not had such a favorable acceptance, therefore, the objective of this study was to present and describe the use of interscalene block to promote enhanced recovery in a series of patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery.

Thirty-five patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included, in whom interscalene blockade and sedation were administered. Subsequently, pain intensity, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, presence of Horner's syndrome, blurred vision, hoarseness, time elapsed to discharge, unplanned readmissions, patient satisfaction, and compliance with hospital discharge criteria in the first 12 weeks were evaluated, hours following the criteria of an enhanced recovery.

27 patients (77,1%) had ASA I and 8 patients (22,8%) ASA II, 97,1% were rotator cuff repairs. Before discharge, two patients (5.7%) had nausea. At discharge, no patient had dyspnea or blurred vision, two patients (5.7%) developed hoarseness, and the median pain intensity was 1.0 (0.0-7.0). Between 24 and 48 hours only one patient (2.8%) presented nausea and the median pain intensity was 1.0 (0.0-8.0). All the patients were satisfied with their willingness to repeat the experience, 100% of the patients met the criteria for medical discharge after 12 hours, 30 patients (85.7%) were discharged the same day, the stay was 12 (11.5 to 12.5) hours, and no patient was readmitted.

In selected patients with a committed, trained and experienced surgical-anesthetic team, there is a high possibility that the interscalene block will favor the performance of enhanced recovery programs in shoulder arthroscopic surgery.