A Randomised Controlled Trial of Subacromial Local Anaesthetic Delivery Following Rotator Cuff Surgery (SALAD Trial)

The SALAD Trial is a Randomised Controlled Trial assessing the effect of local anaesthetic delivered to the shoulder joint by a catheter inserted during surgery on post-operative pain control. Post operative pain relief makes patients more comfortable, can increase rate of recovery and reduce the risk of long-term dependence on opioid pain relief. The aim of this study is to see whether local anaesthetic delivered into the shoulder joint after surgery in addition to usual pain relief reduces pain compared to usual pain relief alone. This study is a collaboration between three departments at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH): Department of Anaesthetics, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe). All participants will undergo arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery followed by insertion of a subacromical cathether for the administration of local anaesthetic or placebo. The first dose of local anaesthetic or placebo is administered in the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) as the pump is connected. Participants will be randomised to receive either local anaesthetic or placebo. We hypothesise that in patients undergoing primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair procedures, there is a significant reduction in post-operative pain and opiate usage for patients who receive a Programmed Intermittent Bolus of Local Anaesthetic into the subacromial space via a subacromial catheter compared to patients who receive a placebo infusion into the subacromial space only.