Combined Suprascapular/Supraclavicular versus Interscalene Ultrasound Guided Nerve Blocks for Shoulder Arthroscopy

Combined Suprascapular/Supraclavicular versus Interscalene Ultrasound Guided Nerve Blocks for Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy has been performed as a diagnostic tool and also as a therapeutic maneuver. Interscalene approach to the brachial plexus is the most suitable block for shoulder arthroscopy. It has a lot of complications like inadvertent epidural or intrathecal injection, vertebral artery injection, recurrent laryngeal nerve block and phrenic nerve block that may need mechanical ventilation especially in patients with respiratory compromise. Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block was reported to be safe for shoulder arthroscopy. This approach when used for shoulder surgeries by injecting the usual volumes of local anesthetic solutions; may be unsatisfactory, so this block is augmented by block of the suprascapular nerve by ultrasound guidance.