Randomized, controlled trial of multimodal shoulder injection or intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the effect of postoperative pain control and adverse effects of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) and multimodal shoulder injection after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods Seventy patients scheduled for elective arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were prospectively randomized to receive either IV PCA or multimodal shoulder injections. Postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, and other adverse effects were assessed at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after surgery. Use of rescue analgesics and antiemetics, level of satisfaction, and cost for both modalities were recorded. Results Pain was better controlled in the multimodal shoulder injection group at 2 h postoperatively ( P = 0.001). However, the use of additional analgesics was greater in the multimodal shoulder injection group during 12–48 h after surgery ( P