Comparison of the Combination of Interscalene Block and Superficial Cervical Block Anaesthesia with Interscalene...

To compare shoulder surgery patients who received interscalene nerve block (INB) and superficial cervical block (SCB) anaesthesia with those who received only INB anaesthesia.

Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine Harran University, Haliliye, Turkiye, from October 2020 to April 2023.

A total of 60 participants aged between 18 and 75 years, belonging to the ASA I-II physical class and scheduled for arthroplastic and arthroscopic shoulder surgery, were divided into two groups. Group I received INB + SCB; Group II received only INB. Variables were compared as per the objective.

There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic variables. There was no significant difference between Group I and Group II in VAS scores at the 1st hour; however, a significant difference was observed at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th hours, with lower VAS scores in Group I.

Combined block method resulted in lower postoperative pain scores, longer pain-free periods, less opioid requirement, and higher patient satisfaction. Therefore, the INB + SCB combination will be a safe, less time-consuming, and highly effective alternative to other anaesthetic methods in arthroscopic and arthroplastic shoulder surgeries.

Anaesthesia, Brachial plexus block, Cervical plexus block, Regional anaesthesia, Shoulder, Surgery.