Comparison of the Combination of Interscalene Block and Superficial Cervical Block Anaesthesia with Interscalene Block Anaesthesia in Shoulder Surgery Operations.

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

Study design: 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.

Methodology: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

Key words: Anaesthesia, Brachial plexus block, Cervical plexus block, Regional anaesthesia, Shoulder, Surgery.