Preoperative Versus Postoperative Interscalene Block in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

NCT07689448 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ISB-ARCR-2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is evaluating whether the timing of an interscalene nerve block affects pain control and recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. An interscalene block is commonly used to reduce pain after shoulder surgery. However, it is not known whether administering the block before surgery or after surgery provides better outcomes. Participants undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair are assigned to receive the interscalene block either before the surgical incision or after completion of the procedure. The study compares postoperative pain levels, opioid medication use, length of hospital stay, and ultrasound imaging quality during block administration between the two groups. Functional recovery is also assessed using patient-reported outcome measures during follow-up. The investigators hypothesize that administration of the interscalene block before surgery may provide superior early pain control and reduce postoperative opioid requirements while maintaining similar functional outcomes compared with administration after surgery.

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Tear Repair; Interscalene Blocks; Rotator Cuff Tears

Keywords

Rotator Cuff Tears; Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair; Interscalene Nerve Block; Regional Anesthesia; Postoperative Pain; Preemptive Analgesia; Pain Management

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Early Postoperative Pain Intensity

  Patients' postoperative pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Pain scores will be compared between pre-procedure and post-procedure interscalene block groups. The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain intensity.

  Pre-procedure, postoperative 6th, 12th, 24th hours

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Postoperative Opioid Consumption

  24 hours after surgery

• Patient-Controlled Analgesia Usage

  24 hours after surgery

• Duration of hospitalization following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

  From surgery until hospital discharge

• Ultrasound Image Quality During Interscalene Block Administration

  At the time of interscalene block administration

• Oxford Shoulder Score

  Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery

Study Arms (2)

Pre-Procedure Interscalene Block

Participants undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair who received an ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block before surgical incision as part of the perioperative analgesia protocol.

Post-Procedure Interscalene Block

Participants undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair who received an ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block after completion of surgery as part of the perioperative analgesia protocol.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients undergoing primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for repairable rotator cuff tears at a single tertiary referral center. Participants received ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block either before surgical incision or after completion of surgery according to routine perioperative practice.

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Patients undergoing primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
• Presence of a repairable small-, medium-, or large-sized rotator cuff tear confirmed by clinical and imaging evaluation.
• Receipt of an ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block as part of perioperative pain management.
• Ability to provide informed consent and comply with study follow-up requirements.

You may not qualify if:

• Irreparable rotator cuff tears.
• Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears not requiring repair.
• Revision rotator cuff repair procedures.
• Concomitant shoulder procedures that could substantially influence postoperative pain or functional outcomes (e.g., shoulder arthroplasty, fracture fixation).
• Previous surgery on the affected shoulder.
• Contraindications to interscalene nerve block, including local anesthetic allergy, infection at the injection site, or severe neurologic disease affecting the brachial plexus.
• Chronic opioid use or opioid dependence before surgery.
• Inability to complete study questionnaires or follow the postoperative rehabilitation protocol.
• Missing baseline or follow-up data required for outcome assessment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istinye University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istinye University Bahcesehir Liv Research and Training Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Injuries; Pain, Postoperative; Agnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rupture; Wounds and Injuries; Shoulder Injuries; Tendon Injuries; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Ali S. Kavaklı, Professor

  Istinye University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Onur Senyurt, MD

  Istinye University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Kaya Turan, MD, Assoc Prof

  Istinye University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Taylan Sahin, MD

  Istinye University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Kaya Turan, MD, FEBOT, Assoc Prof.

CONTACT

+905332937927; kaya.turan@istinye.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 6 Months
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 24, 2026
• First Posted: July 8, 2026
• Study Start: July 13, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 20, 2026
• Last Updated: July 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)