Effect of pericapsular nerve block on the quality of recovery after shoulder arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy, a standard orthopedic procedure, often results in severe postoperative pain, leading to high opioid consumption and delayed recovery. Various analgesic methods, including peripheral nerve blocks, manage this pain. The pericapsular nerve group block is a relatively new technique whose efficacy in shoulder surgeries has yet to be extensively studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pericapsular nerve group block on postoperative recovery quality following shoulder arthroscopy, as measured by the Quality of Recovery-15 score.

A randomized, prospective, controlled, multicenter study was conducted with 60 patients undergoing unilateral shoulder arthroscopy. Participants were allocated to either Group P (patients receiving the pericapsular nerve group block and multimodal analgesia) or Group C (patients receiving only multimodal analgesia). The primary outcome measured was the Quality of Recovery-15 score 24 hours post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative numeric rating scale scores, the requirement for rescue analgesia, time to first rescue analgesia, postoperative complications, the necessity for antiemetics, and patient satisfaction.

The median Quality of Recovery-15 score was significantly higher in Group P compared to Group C (120±10 vs. 89±11; P<0.001). Additionally, Group P exhibited lower pain scores at rest and during movement, a decreased need for rescue analgesia, and an extended duration before the first rescue analgesia was required. Postoperative nausea and vomiting were less common in Group P, and patient satisfaction scores were notably higher in this group.

The pericapsular nerve group block significantly enhances postoperative recovery quality, reduces pain and opioid consumption, and improves patient satisfaction without significant complications.