Diaphragm-Sparing Regional Anesthesia Techniques for Shoulder Surgery
Comparison of Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Versus the Combination of Suprascapular and Infraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block for Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial With Diaphragmatic Function Assessment
Poznan University of Medical Sciences
70 participants
Dec 10, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This study will compare two regional anesthesia techniques for shoulder surgery and evaluate their effects on diaphragmatic function. The standard regional anesthesia technique for shoulder surgery is the interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB), which provides effective analgesia but is frequently associated with ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paresis due to phrenic nerve involvement. An alternative diaphragm-sparing strategy is the combination of a suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and an infraclavicular brachial plexus block (ICB), which may reduce the risk of diaphragmatic dysfunction while maintaining effective analgesia for shoulder surgery. All participants will receive ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia prior to surgery and will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group 1: Interscalene brachial plexus block Group 2: Suprascapular nerve block combined with infraclavicular brachial plexus block The primary aim of this study is to determine whether the diaphragm-sparing technique reduces the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis while providing analgesia comparable to the standard interscalene block. Diaphragmatic movement will be assessed using ultrasound before and after block placement. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain intensity, opioid consumption, pulmonary function parameters, and block-related complications.
Eligibility
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Interventions
Participants in this arm will receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block using 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. The block will be performed as a single-shot injection prior to shoulder surgery. No suprascapular or infraclavicular block will be performed in this group
Participants in this arm will receive two ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks as part of the diaphragm-sparing strategy: Infraclavicular brachial plexus block: 15 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine Suprascapular nerve block: 5 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine Both injections will be performed as single-shot blocks prior to surgery. No interscalene block will be performed in this arm
Locations(1)
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NCT07474896