Injection Site in Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block for Shoulder Arthroscopy

NCT07695025 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 21-19
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Ultrasound-guided interscalene block is commonly used for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. The location of local anesthetic injection may influence both block efficacy and the incidence of block-related complications. This randomized, double-blind clinical trial compares two different injection sites around the C5-C7 nerve roots using the same local anesthetic dose and volume. The study will assess block success, postoperative analgesia, opioid consumption, diaphragmatic function, and procedure-related complications.

Conditions

Shoulder Arthroscopy; Postoperative Pain

Keywords

Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block; Interscalene Block; Regional Anesthesia; Shoulder Arthroscopy; Postoperative Analgesia; Local Anesthetic; Brachial Plexus Block; Phrenic Nerve

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy

  Postoperative analgesic efficacy will be assessed using patient-controlled analgesia demand and delivered dose counts and the need for rescue analgesia.

  12 hours after surgery

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Time to First Rescue Analgesic

  12 hours after surgery

• Hemidiaphragmatic Paralysis

  Before block and 2 hours after surgery

• Block-Related Complications

  During block placement and within 12 hours after surgery

• Block Duration

  12 hours after surgery

Study Arms (2)

Anterior Interscalene Block

EXPERIMENTAL

Ultrasound-guided interscalene block with local anesthetic injected between the C5-C7 nerve roots and the anterior scalene muscle.

Procedure: Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block

Posterior Interscalene Block

EXPERIMENTAL

Ultrasound-guided interscalene block with local anesthetic injected between the C5-C7 nerve roots and the middle scalene muscle.

Procedure: Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block

Interventions

Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block PROCEDURE

Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block performed before induction of general anesthesia. Participants are assigned to one of two injection sites around the C5-C7 nerve roots according to the randomized study protocol.

Anterior Interscalene Block; Posterior Interscalene Block

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years or older. ASA physical status I-III. Scheduled for shoulder arthroscopy under general anesthesia with a planned ultrasound-guided interscalene block for postoperative analgesia.
• Able to provide written informed consent. Normal coagulation parameters and no antithrombotic therapy. No infection or anatomical abnormality at the injection site. No known allergy to local anesthetics. No contralateral diaphragmatic paralysis or pneumothorax. No dyspnea and adequate pulmonary function.

You may not qualify if:

• Age younger than 18 years or ASA physical status IV. Antithrombotic therapy or abnormal coagulation parameters. Infection or anatomical abnormality at the injection site. Known allergy to local anesthetics. Contralateral diaphragmatic paralysis or history of pneumothorax. Dyspnea. Refusal to undergo interscalene block.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Istanbul, 34668, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain, Postoperative

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Tuna Erturk, MD

  Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Hakan Emirkadı, MD

CONTACT

+905322609367; hemirkadi@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Participants were unaware of group assignment. Postoperative assessments were performed by an anesthesiologist who was not involved in block placement and was blinded to treatment allocation. The anesthesiologist performing the block was aware of group assignment.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigato

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups receiving ultrasound-guided interscalene block with local anesthetic injected either anterior or posterior to the C5-C7 nerve roots.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 5, 2026
• First Posted: July 10, 2026
• Study Start: July 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Last Updated: July 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)