Suprascapular nerve block versus interscalene block for analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

To retrospectively compare the efficacy of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) versus interscalene block (ISB) for analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). Ninety-seven patients who underwent ARCR were retrospectively divided into three groups. Group S comprised 33 patients who received SSNB, group I comprised 52 patients who received ISB, and group C comprised 12 patients who received a glenohumeral injection as a control. SSNB and ISB were performed with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine before surgery, while glenohumeral injection was performed after surgery. The Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were recorded at 1,3, and 6 h and 1, 3, and 6 days postoperatively. The total number of additional analgesic administrations was also counted for 6 days postoperatively. Compared with group C, the VAS pain score was significantly lower in group S at 1 h and 6 days postoperatively, and in group I at 1 and 3 h postoperatively. There were no significant differences between groups S and I in the VAS pain scores, or the administration of additional analgesia. There were no major complications associated with SSNB or ISB. There were no significant differences between SSNB and ISB in the duration of analgesia and the VAS pain scores after ARCR.