Perioperative Nerve Injury After Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Assessment of Risk After Regional Anesthesia

The prevalence and risk factors for peripheral nerve injury following arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and identify the risk factors for peripheral nerve injury (PNI) following arthroplasty through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for observational studies investigating the prevalence and risk factors for PNI following arthroplasty. Prevalence data for PNI following arthroplasty were extracted and pooled using a random-effects model, with results presented as pooled prevalence with 95% CI. ORs and 95% CIs for identified risk factors were calculated. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on age, study type, sample size, arthroplasty site, region, and others. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test, and sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

After screening, a total of 21 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of PNI was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.006-0.009) with significant heterogeneity (I² = 99%). The prevalence of PNI following arthroplasty was found to be more likely as a result of several identified factors, including spinal conditions (ORs = 2.269, 95% CI 1.625-3.170), postoperative anemia (ORs = 1.370, 95% CI 1.149-1.633), mechanical complications (ORs = 1.791, 95% CI 1.118-2.868) and hypothyroidism (ORs = 1.189, 95% CI 1.054-1.341).

CONCLUSIONS

The pooled prevalence of PNI was approximately 0.7%. Furthermore, we identified potential risk factors for PNI following arthroplasty, including spinal conditions, postoperative anemia, mechanical complications, and hypothyroidism. Our findings emphasize the importance of recognizing these risk factors in the perioperative management of arthroplasty patients.

Regional Anesthesia in the Elite Athlete

Elite athletes are exposed to an elevated risk of musculoskeletal injury which may present a significant threat to an athlete's livelihood. The perioperative anesthetic plan of care for these injuries in the general population often incorporates regional anesthesia procedures due to several benefits. However, some concern exists regarding the potential for regional anesthesia to adversely impact functional recovery in an elite athlete who may have a lower tolerance for this risk. This article aims to review the data behind this concern, discuss strategies to improve the safety of these procedures and explore the features of consent in this patient population.

Shedding Light on Perioperative Nerve Injury: An Investigation Using the SHED (Symptoms Categorization-History Taking-Examination-Diagnostic Evaluations) Approach

Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) provide analgesia and anesthesia in diverse surgical procedures. Despite their recognized benefits, the occurrence of complications, particularly peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs), is a noteworthy concern. Prompt identification and intervention for perioperative nerve injuries are crucial to prevent permanent neurological impairment. A meticulous, systematic evaluation centered on the onset and progression of symptoms becomes imperative. The SHED (symptoms categorization-history taking-examination-diagnostic evaluations) approach serves as a valuable tool for diagnosing causative factors, determining the type of nerve injury, and formulating an effective treatment plan to mitigate further harm. This case report employs the SHED approach to elucidate a perplexing instance of PNIs. The patient, experiencing neurological symptoms post-forearm surgery under a PNB, serves as a focal point. The report underscores the significance of a systematic, stepwise approach in managing patients with suspected PNIs. Vigilant patient monitoring, collaborative teamwork, shared responsibilities, and consideration of potential contributing factors beyond the nerve block are highlighted for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of PNIs. The aim is to guide healthcare professionals in navigating similar clinical scenarios, ultimately ensuring patient safety and optimizing outcomes.

Global mapping of institutional and hospital-based (Level II-IV) arthroplasty registries: a scoping review

PURPOSE

Four joint arthroplasty registries (JARs) levels exist based on the recorded data type. Level I JARs are national registries that record primary data. Hospital or institutional JARs (Level II-IV) document further data (patient-reported outcomes, demographic, radiographic). A worldwide list of Level II-IV JARs must be created to effectively assess and categorize these data.

METHODS

Our study is a systematic scoping review that followed the PRISMA guidelines and included 648 studies. Based on their publications, the study aimed to map the existing Level II-IV JARs worldwide. The secondary aim was to record their lifetime, publications' number and frequency and recognise differences with national JARs.

RESULTS

One hundred five Level II-IV JARs were identified. Forty-eight hospital-based, 45 institutional, and 12 regional JARs. Fifty JARs were found in America, 39 in Europe, nine in Asia, six in Oceania and one in Africa. They have published 485 cohorts, 91 case-series, 49 case-control, nine cross-sectional studies, eight registry protocols and six randomized trials. Most cohort studies were retrospective. Twenty-three per cent of papers studied patient-reported outcomes, 21.45% surgical complications, 13.73% postoperative clinical and 5.25% radiographic outcomes, and 11.88% were survival analyses. Forty-four JARs have published only one paper. Level I JARs primarily publish implant revision risk annual reports, while Level IV JARs collect comprehensive data to conduct retrospective cohort studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study mapping all Level II-IV JARs worldwide. Most JARs are found in Europe and America, reporting on retrospective cohorts, but only a few report on studies systematically.

Postoperative neurological symptoms following arthroscopic shoulder surgery with interscalene block: an exploratory secondary analysis of pooled randomized controlled trial data

OBJECTIVE

Postoperative neurological symptoms (PONS) are recognized complications of regional anesthesia and orthopedic surgery. We aimed to better characterize prevalence and potential risk factors in a homogeneous population of randomized, controlled trial participants.

METHODS

Data were pooled from two randomized controlled trials of analgesia after interscalene block with perineural or intravenous adjuvants (NCT02426736, NCT03270033). Participants were at least 18 years of age and undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery at a single ambulatory surgical center. PONS were assessed by telephone follow-up at 14 days and 6 months postoperatively, and defined as patient report of numbness, weakness, or tingling in the surgical limb, alone or in combination, and regardless of severity or etiology.

RESULTS

At 14 days, PONS occurred in 83 of 477 patients (17.4%). Among these 83 patients, 10 (12.0%) continued to have symptoms a half-year after surgery. In exploratory univariate analyses, no patient, surgical or anesthetic characteristics were significantly associated with 14-day PONS except for lower postoperative day 1 Quality of Recovery-15 questionnaire total score (OR 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96 to 0.99), p<0.01). This result was driven largely by the emotional domain question scores (OR 0.90 95% CI 0.85 to 0.96, p<0.001). Report of all three of numbness, weakness and tingling at 14 days vs other 14-day symptom combinations was associated with persistent PONS at 6 months (OR 11.5 95% CI 2.2 to 61.8, p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

PONS are common after arthroscopic shoulder surgery performed with single injection ultrasound-guided interscalene blocks. No definitive mitigating risk factors were identified.

Opioid-Sparing Analgesic Effects from Interscalene Block Impact Anesthetic Management During Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Retrospective Observational Study

Purpose

Ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block (UISB) is commonly used to alleviate postoperative pain during shoulder arthroscopy. This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the intraoperative advantages and analgesic effects of preoperative UISB.

Patients and Methods

In this retrospective observational study, a total of 170 patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy at a tertiary medical center in southern Taiwan throughout 2019. After applying the exclusion criteria, 142 of these cases were included, with 74 and 68 in the UISB group and control groups, respectively. The primary outcome was the evaluation of intraoperative morphine milligram equivalent (MME) consumption. Secondary outcomes were sevoflurane consumption, the use of intraoperative antihypertensive drugs, and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and in the ward at 24 h after surgery.

Results

Preoperative UISB effectively reduced opioids and volatile gases during surgery, supported by a 48.1% and 14.8% reduction in the median intraoperative MME and sevoflurane concentrations, respectively, and showed less need for antihypertensive drugs. The preoperative UISB group also showed significantly better performance on the VAS in both the PACU and ward.

Conclusion

Taken together, the preoperative UISB reduced not only intraoperative MME and sevoflurane consumption but also had satisfactory VAS scores in both the PACU and ward without any symptomatic respiratory complications. In summary, preoperative UISB is a reliable adjuvant analgesic technique and a key factor in achieving opioid-sparing and sevoflurane-sparing anesthesia and multimodal analgesia during shoulder arthroscopy.

Efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine for pain control in shoulder surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Total shoulder arthroplasty and rotator cuff repair surgery result in considerable postoperative pain. Optimal postoperative pain management based on a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to promote early postoperative rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to compare liposomal bupivacaine (LB) with traditional, non-LB agents after total arthroplasty or rotator cuff repair surgery.

METHODS

Two independent authors searched the PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library websites for suitable articles. We included randomized controlled trials comparing outcomes after the administration of LB and non-LB agents for rotator cuff repair or total shoulder arthroplasty. The outcome measures for our meta-analysis were visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at 24 and 48 hours after surgery, opioid consumption 24 and 48 hours after surgery, hospital stay duration, and complications within 48 hours after surgery. We used the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) tool to assess the degree of evidence for the outcomes, and we used the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool to assess the risk of bias.

RESULTS

The current meta-analysis comprised 11 randomized controlled studies with 846 subjects. Seven studies used local infiltration to administer LB, and 3 used a block. Our pooled analysis results showed no significant difference in VAS pain scores at 24 hours after surgery (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.55 to 0.01; prediction interval, -1.25 to 0.70), VAS pain scores at 48 hours after surgery (SMD, -0.18; 95% CI, -0.46 to 0.09; prediction interval, -1.10 to 0.73), opioid consumption at 24 hours after surgery (SMD, 0.04; 95% CI, -0.27 to 0.34; prediction interval, -1.01 to 1.09), and opioid consumption at 48 hours after surgery (SMD, 0.10; 95% CI, -0.44 to 0.64; prediction interval, -1.76 to 1.96) between the LB and non-LB groups. The LB and non-LB groups had similar hospital stay durations (SMD, -0.38; 95% CI, -1.51 to 0.74; prediction interval, -14.7 to 13.9) and adverse events (risk ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.42 to 1.36) following the shoulder procedures. The level of evidence was low according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis provides evidence indicating that LB is similar to non-LB agents in terms of overall pain relief and opioid requirements. The duration of hospital stay and complication rates were also similar in the 2 groups. Future well-designed and adequately powered randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm our results and to be able to recommend LB for various types of shoulder operations.

Peripheral Nerve Injury After Upper-Extremity Surgery Performed Under Regional Anesthesia: A Systematic Review

Purpose

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a known adverse event following upper-limb surgery performed under brachial plexus regional anesthesia (RA). When PNI is noted after surgery, patients and providers often have questions about which factors might have contributed to this complication. This systematic review evaluates the literature on hand and shoulder surgeries performed under ultrasound-guided, plexus RA to identify factors potentially associated with PNI, including the surgery location and block type. We hypothesized that shoulder surgery might be associated with an increased risk of PNI compared to hand surgery.

Methods

A systematic review of the relevant literature was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Only prospective studies on the use of ultrasound-guided, preoperative, brachial plexus RA for hand or shoulder surgery on adult patients were included. Study groups were categorized according to surgery location and block type and compared across a number of factors via univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 3,037 abstracts were screened; 192 full-text articles were independently reviewed by 2 of the authors; and 53 studies were included in the systematic review analysis. Following hand surgery, PNI was reported at an average rate of 1.35% ± 3.21% across 836 subjects in 40 study groups; after shoulder surgery, the average rate was 0.50% ± 1.57% across 3,383 subjects in 15 study groups. There was no statistically significant correlation between the incidence of PNI and surgery location (P =.70) or any of the most common approaches for brachial plexus anesthesia in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

This systematic review of over 50 articles on upper-limb surgery performed under RA shows no association between the incidence of PNI and the location of surgery or type of brachial plexus block.

Type of study/level of evidence

Diagnostic II.

Regional Anesthesia in the Elite Athlete

Elite athletes are exposed to an elevated risk of musculoskeletal injury which may present a significant threat to an athlete's livelihood. The perioperative anesthetic plan of care for these injuries in the general population often incorporates regional anesthesia procedures due to several benefits. However, some concern exists regarding the potential for regional anesthesia to adversely impact functional recovery in an elite athlete who may have a lower tolerance for this risk. This article aims to review the data behind this concern, discuss strategies to improve the safety of these procedures and explore the features of consent in this patient population.

Do local liposomal bupivacaine and interscalene nerve block provide similar pain control after shoulder arthroplasty? A dual-center randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Interscalene nerve block (INB) has become a popular technique for shoulder anesthesia. However, INB is associated with complication rates as high as 20%. Local liposomal bupivacaine (LLB) is an alternative to INB that potentially offers extended pain control with fewer adverse effects.

METHODS

We conducted a dual-center randomized controlled trial of 108 participants who were treated with LLB (n = 54) or INB (n = 54) to control pain after shoulder arthroplasty. We assessed visual analog scale pain scores at 6-hour intervals from 6 to 96 hours postoperatively and at the first postoperative visit. We assessed opioid medication consumption intraoperatively and on days 1, 2, 3, and 4 postoperatively, as well as the duration of hospital and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stays.

RESULTS

At 6 hours postoperatively, the mean visual analog scale pain score was lower in the INB group (2.9 ± 3.1) than in the LLB group (5.1 ± 2.9, P < .01). The INB group consumed less opioid medication during the first 24 hours postoperatively (18 ± 12 morphine milligram equivalents) than did the LLB group (36 ± 48 morphine milligram equivalents, P = .01). The PACU stay was shorter in the INB group (102 ± 53 minutes) compared with the LLB group (139 ± 77 minutes, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with LLB, INB provides better pain control immediately after shoulder arthroplasty as evidenced by shorter PACU stays, lower pain scores at 6 hours postoperatively, and less opioid medication consumption during the first 24 hours postoperatively. However, no differences in outcomes were observed between groups beyond 24 hours.

Identification and economic burden of main adverse events of nerve injuries caused by regional anesthesia: a systematic review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Anesthesiologists and hospitals are increasingly confronted with costs associated with the complications of Peripheral Nerve Blocks (PNB) procedures. The objective of our study was to identify the incidence of the main adverse events associated with regional anesthesia, particularly during anesthetic PNB, and to evaluate the associated healthcare and social costs.

METHODS

According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a systematic search on EMBASE and PubMed with the following search strategy: ("regional anesthesia" OR "nerve block") AND ("complications" OR "nerve lesion" OR "nerve damage" OR "nerve injury"). Studies on patients undergoing a regional anesthesia procedure other than spinal or epidural were included. Targeted data of the selected studies were extracted and further analyzed.

RESULTS

Literature search revealed 487 articles, 21 of which met the criteria to be included in our analysis. Ten of them were included in the qualitative and 11 articles in the quantitative synthesis. The analysis of costs included data from four studies and 2,034 claims over 51,242 cases. The median claim consisted in 39,524 dollars in the United States and 22,750 pounds in the United Kingdom. The analysis of incidence included data from seven studies involving 424,169 patients with an overall estimated incidence of 137/10,000.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite limitations, we proposed a simple model of cost calculation. We found that, despite the relatively low incidence of adverse events following PNB, their associated costs were relevant and should be carefully considered by healthcare managers and decision makers.

Effect of Dexamethasone in Peripheral Nerve Blocks on Recovery of Nerve Function

BACKGROUND

Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) have revolutionized distal extremity surgery reducing pain and improving hospital efficiency. Perineural dexamethasone has been administered with PNBs to prolong their effects, although the safety of dexamethasone has not been established in the literature. This study aimed to determine if the addition of dexamethasone affected the postoperative neurological sensory status for foot and ankle surgeries and the recovery of nerve injuries. We hypothesized that the rate of persistent nerve injury would be higher in the dexamethasone group.

METHODS

This is a retrospective observational cohort study of prospectively collected data of all patients from a single foot and ankle surgeon's practice. Perineural dexamethasone was routinely used as an adjunct by the regional anesthesia group until a clinical trend of increased paresthesia was found on short-term follow-up, which led to the discontinuation of its use. In this study, the cohort that received dexamethasone with ropivacaine was compared with the cohort that received ropivacaine alone. The primary outcome was a separate sensory nerve status sheet that was completed for every distal nerve territory for every patient at their follow-up visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Univariate analysis and a logistic regression model were used to determine the association between dexamethasone and delayed nerve recovery. A total of 250 patients were included in the study, with 117 patients in the dexamethasone group and 133 in the ropivacaine-only group.

RESULTS

The rates of nerve injuries were not different between the groups (72 [62%] in the dexamethasone group vs 79 [59%] in the ropivacaine-only group). However, nerve injury symptoms were more likely to persist and not fully recover in the dexamethasone group (n = 47, 65%) compared with the ropivacaine-only group (n = 32, 41%) (OR, 2.12; P = .006).

CONCLUSION

Perineural dexamethasone added to PNBs may be associated with delayed nerve recovery after foot and ankle surgery. It may be prudent to avoid its use until its full safety profile is established in larger prospective trials.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Patient Complications after Interscalene Block: A Retrospective Comparison of Liposomal Bupivacaine to Nonliposomal Bupivacaine

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate if the addition of liposome bupivacaine (LB) to an interscalene block (ISB) had an effect on the number of patients with surgical- or block-related complications.

Methods

This was a single-center retrospective chart view performed by identifying patients who received an ISB from January 1, 2014, through April 26, 2018, at the University of Minnesota. 1,518 patients were identified who received an ISB (LB = 784, nonliposomal bupivacaine = 734). Patients were divided into two groups those who did receive liposome bupivacaine in their ISB and those who did not receive liposome bupivacaine in their ISB. Medical records were individually reviewed for surgical procedure, block medications, complications related to the block or surgical procedure, phone calls to the healthcare system for issues related to opioids or pain within 3 and within 30 days, readmissions within 30 days, and emergency room visits for complications within 3 and 30 days.

Results

There was no significant difference in the number of patients with surgical or anesthetic complications. Only phone calls for pain within 3 days were significantly different. The LB group had 3.2% of patients call compared to 5.6% in the nonliposomal bupivacaine group (aOR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.04–2.87), p=0.036). We found no significant difference in any of the other secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

The use of LB in an ISB demonstrated no significant difference compared to nonliposomal bupivacaine in numbers of complications, emergency room visits, and readmissions.

Efficacy of local infiltration anesthesia versus interscalene nerve blockade for total shoulder arthroplasty

Background

Optimal modalities for pain control in shoulder arthroplasty are not yet established. Although regional nerve blockade has been a well-accepted modality, complications and rebound pain have led some surgeons to seek other pain control modalities. Local injection of anesthetics has recently gained popularity in joint arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and complication rate of a low-cost local anesthetic injection mixture for use in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) compared with interscalene brachial plexus blockade.

Methods

A total of 314 patients underwent TSA and were administered general anesthesia with either a local injection mixture (local infiltration anesthesia [LIA], n = 161) or peripheral nerve block (PNB, n = 144). Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed for postoperative pain scores, 24-hour opioid consumption, and 90-day postoperative complications.

Results

Immediate postoperative pain scores were not significantly different between groups (P = .94). The LIA group demonstrated a trend toward lower pain scores at 24 hours postoperatively (P = .10). Opioid consumption during the first 24 hours following surgery was significantly reduced in the LIA group compared with the PNB group (P < .0001). There was a trend toward fewer postoperative nerve and cardiopulmonary complications in the LIA group than the PNB group (P = .22 and P = .40, respectively)

Conclusion

Periarticular local injection mixtures provide comparable pain control to regional nerve blocks while reducing opioid use and postoperative complications following TSA. Local injection of a multimodal anesthetic solution is a viable option for pain management in TSA.

Postsurgical Neuropathy: A Descriptive Review

Postsurgical neuropathies represent an infrequent but potentially devastating complication of surgery that may result in significant morbidity with medicolegal implications. Elucidation of this phenomenon has evolved over the past few decades, with emerging evidence for not only iatrogenic factors contributing to this process but also inflammatory causes. This distinction can be important; for instance, cases in which inflammatory etiologies are suspected may benefit from further investigations including nerve biopsy and may benefit from treatment in the form of immunotherapy. In contrast, postsurgical neuropathies due to perioperative causes including anesthesia, traction, compression, and transection will not benefit in the same manner. This article summarizes early and current literature surrounding the frequency of new neurologic deficits after various surgical types, potential causes including anatomical and inflammatory considerations, and roles for treatment. To capture the scope of the issue, a literature review was conducted for human studies in English via MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 1, 1988 to March 31, 2018. Search terms included anesthesia and/or surgical procedures, operative, peripheral nervous system diseases, trauma, mononeuropathy, polyneuropathy, peripheral nervous system, nerve compression, neuropathy, plexopathy, postoperative, postsurgical, perioperative, complication. We excluded case series with less than 10 patients and review papers. We then narrowed the studies to those presented highlighting key concepts in postsurgical neuropathy.

Regional Nerve Blocks-Best Practice Strategies for Reduction in Complications and Comprehensive Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Understanding the etiologies of the complications associated with regional anesthesia and implementing methods to reduce their occurrence provides an opportunity to foster safer practices in the delivery of regional anesthesia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Neurologic injuries following peripheral nerve block (PNB) and neuraxial blocks are rare, with most being transient. However, long-lasting and devastating sequelae can occur with regional anesthesia. Risk factors for neurologic injury following PNB include type of block, injection in the presence of deep sedation or general anesthesia, presence of existing neuropathy, mechanical trauma from the needle, pressure injury, intraneural injection, neuronal ischemia, iatrogenic injury related to surgery, and local anesthetic neurotoxicity. The present investigation discusses regional blocks, complications of regional blocks, risk factors, site-specific limitations, specific complications and how to prevent them from happening, avoiding complications in regional anesthesia, and the future of regional anesthesia.

Incidence of clinically evident isolated axillary nerve injury in 869 primary anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasties without routine identification of the axillary nerve

Background

It has been suggested that, during primary shoulder arthroplasty, surgeons should identify the axillary nerve through direct visualization, palpation, or the “tug test” to prevent iatrogenic nerve injury. Our goal was to document the rate of isolated axillary nerve injury (IANI) in patients who had undergone primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) without routine identification of the axillary nerve.

Methods

Data on 869 cases of primary shoulder arthroplasty (338 TSAs and 531 RTSAs) performed by 1 surgeon between 2003 and 2017 were reviewed. Neither the tug test nor identification of the axillary nerve through palpation or visualization was used in any case. The primary outcome was new IANI documented within 3 months after arthroplasty. The frequency of IANI was summarized using point estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Six cases met the criteria for IANI. The overall incidence of IANI was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.3%-1.4%). The incidence of IANI was 0.3% (95% CI, 0%-1.6%) after TSA and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.3%-2.1%) after RTSA. All IANIs were cases of neurapraxia, and all patients had experienced complete neurologic recovery at last follow-up.

Conclusion

Complete, permanent IANI resulting from direct surgical trauma during primary shoulder arthroplasty can be avoided without using the tug test or routine identification of the nerve. A low incidence of partial temporary IANI can be expected, which may be related to indirect traction injuries.

Local infiltration analgesia versus interscalene nerve block for postoperative pain control after shoulder arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, comparative noninferiority study involving 99 patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of local infiltration analgesia (LIA) and interscalene nerve block (ISB) for early postoperative pain control after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The hypothesis was that LIA is not inferior to ISB.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized controlled study was performed in 2014-2016. All patients who underwent TSA for shoulder osteoarthritis were included. Patients in the ISB group received a continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine by perineural catheter for 48 hours. The surgeon injected 110 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine, 30 mg of ketoprofen, and 0.5 mg of epinephrine before TSA in the LIA group and inserted a catheter into the glenohumeral joint. The next morning, 10 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine, 30 mg of ketoprofen, and epinephrine were injected through the catheter, which was then removed. The primary outcome was the mean shoulder pain score for the 48-hour postoperative period on a numerical scale (0-10). The secondary outcomes were postoperative opioid requirements, complications, and shoulder function at the 1-month follow-up visit. The sample size was calculated for a noninferiority study.

RESULTS

The study included 99 patients (50 LIA and 49 ISB patients) with a mean age of 72 ± 9.6 years. Although no significant difference in the mean pain score was found between the 2 groups for the 48-hour postoperative period (1.4 ± 0.9 for LIA vs 1.7 ± 1 for ISB, P = .19), the LIA group had significantly less severe pain (P = .003) and less opioid consumption (P = .01) in the recovery room. No complications occurred. A negative but nonsignificant correlation was found between postoperative pain and Constant score at the 1-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

LIA is not less effective than ISB for early postoperative pain control after TSA.

Peripheral nerve blocks are not associated with increased risk of perioperative peripheral nerve injury in a Veterans Affairs inpatient surgical population

Background and objectives

Perioperative peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a known complication in patients undergoing surgery with or without regional anesthesia. The incidence of new PNI in a Veterans Affairs (VA) inpatient surgical population has not been previously described; therefore, the incidence, risk factors, and clinical course of new PNI in this cohort are unknown. We hypothesized that peripheral nerve blocks do not increase PNI incidence.

Methods

We conducted a 5-year review of a Perioperative Surgical Home database including all consecutive surgical inpatients. The primary outcome was new PNI between groups that did or did not have peripheral nerve blockade. Potential confounders were first examined individually using logistic regression, and then included simultaneously together within a mixed-effects logistic regression model. Electronic records of patients with new PNI were reviewed for up to a year postoperatively.

Results

The incidence of new PNI was 1.2% (114/9558 cases); 30 of 3380 patients with nerve block experienced new PNI (0.9%) compared with 84 of 6178 non-block patients (1.4%; p=0.053). General anesthesia alone, younger age, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status <3 were associated with higher incidence of new PNI. Patients who received transversus abdominis plane blocks had increased odds for PNI (OR, 3.20, 95% CI 1.34 to 7.63), but these cases correlated with minimally invasive general and urologic surgery. One hundred PNI cases had 1-year follow-up: 82% resolved by 3 months and only one patient did not recover in a year.

Conclusions

The incidence of new perioperative PNI for VA surgical inpatients is 1.2% and the use of peripheral nerve blocks is not an independent risk factor.

Neuropathic Pain after Shoulder Arthroplasty: Prevalence, Impact on Physical and Mental Function, and Demographic Determinants

Purpose: The objectives of this survey study were to provide an estimate of the prevalence of neuropathic pain (NP) and to explore the cross-sectional and longitudinal group differences postoperatively. Method: A cohort of consecutive patients who had undergone total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), or humeral head replacement (HHR) were surveyed within an average of 3.8 years after surgery. Questionnaires completed at the time of the survey were the Self-Administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) pain scale, the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and a satisfaction questionnaire. Results: Of the 141 candidates who were invited to participate in the study, 115 patients participated (85 TSA, 21 HHR, and 9 RSA), for an 82% response rate. Five patients (4%) met the criteria for NP, of whom one had a loosening of the prosthesis and required further surgery. Having NP was associated with greater pain (VAS; p=0.001), greater depression (PHQ-9; p=0.001), more disability (WOOS; p=0.030), and less satisfaction with the surgery (p=0.014). There was no relationship between the presence of NP and patients' age, sex, preoperative pain, range of motion results, or WOOS scores (p>0.05). Conclusions: Persistent pain of neuropathic origin is not common after shoulder arthroplasty, but it is a significant contributor to poor mental and physical well-being and thus warrants further research.

Dry Catheter Technique in Shoulder Arthroplasty

Introduction

Interscalene regional anesthesia is effective for pain management but is not without complications. To determine whether postoperative neurologic findings were related to the surgery versus the regional catheter, we developed the dry catheter technique where patients could be examined after the surgery prior to dosing the catheter. The purpose of the study was to assess the utility of the dry catheter block in recognizing neurological deficits associated with regional anesthesia.

Methods

An interscalene catheter was placed but not started. After the surgery, a neurovascular examination was performed. If the examination was normal, the regional anesthesia was started. Throughout the patient’s hospitalization, pain levels were collected.

Results

A total of 125 shoulders were studied. There were 9 postoperative nerve-related complications. The patients experienced the most pain relief in the first 12 hours.

Conclusion

The dry catheter technique allows differentiation between complications associated with regional anesthesia versus those associated with the surgery. Although interscalene anesthesia provided effective pain control, we stopped using it because we felt its complication rate was too high.

Enhanced Recovery After Shoulder Arthroplasty

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols depend on multidisciplinary care and should be peer-reviewed and data-driven. ERAS has reduced hospital length of stay and complications, simultaneously improving patient outcomes. ERAS protocol after shoulder arthroplasty features multidisciplinary collaboration among different perioperative services and multimodal analgesia with a focus on regional anesthesia. Despite success, adoption is not universal because ERAS protocols are resource intensive. They require clinicians invested in the success of these programs and patients who can take charge of their own health. Future protocols need to include quality of life and functional outcome measures to gauge success from the patient perspective.

Peripheral Nerve Injury Following Interscalene Blocks: A Systematic Review to Guide Orthopedic Surgeons

The purpose of this review was to determine the incidence and duration of peripheral neurologic symptoms following interscalene blocks for shoulder surgery. Three databases were reviewed for subjective and objective injuries by guidance modality and delivery method. The incidence of neurologic injuries following single site injection interscalene blocks, 3.16%, was significantly less than the 5.24% incidence for continuous catheter infusion interscalene blocks. Less than 0.51% of peripheral neurologic symptoms persisted beyond 1 year for both groups. There is a notable risk of injury following interscalene blocks by all modes of guidance and anesthetic technique, but only a small percentage of injuries persist. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(5):e598-e606.].

The Incidence of Complications Is Low Following Foot and Ankle Surgery for Which Peripheral Nerve Blocks Are Used for Postoperative Pain Management

BACKGROUND

The incidence of neurologic complications from foot and ankle surgery utilizing regional anesthesia is not well established.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

The purpose of this study was to prospectively determine the incidence of neurologic and peripheral nerve block (PNB) site complications on a busy foot and ankle service that utilizes ankle blocks (ABs) and popliteal blocks (POPs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective observational study included patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery with ABs or POPs. Block choice was determined by surgeon's preference. Patients were assessed for complications during postoperative visits at 2, 6, and 12 weeks. The relation of each complication to the block was scored by a surgeon and anesthesiologist.

RESULTS

From October 2012 to October 2014, 2516 patients underwent 2704 surgeries. There were 195 complications (7.2%) considered neurologic or at the PNB site. The incidence of serious complications was 0.7%. A higher complication rate was reported for POPs (8.8%) than for ABs (2.5%). However, when analysis was limited to forefoot surgery, this difference was not significant. Dexamethasone use was associated with increased complications for POPs. Only 5 of the 195 total complications, and 2 of 20 serious complications, were deemed to have been likely caused by the block by both the surgeon and anesthesiologist reviewer.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidences of neurologic or block-related complications and serious complications were 7.2 and 0.7%, respectively, most without a clear surgical vs. nerve block etiology. The higher complication rate for POPs using perineural dexamethasone should be interpreted cautiously in light of the lack of randomization and likely confounders.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology: Intrafascicular Local Anesthetic Injection Damages Peripheral Nerve-Induced Neuropathic Pain

Peripheral nerve blockade (PNB) is advantageous for patients undergoing surgery to decrease the perioperative opioid consumptions and enhance recovery after surgery.Inadvertent local anesthetic (LA) administration into nerve fiber intrafascicularly easily results in unrecognized nerve injury. Using nerve block guidance either by ultrasound, electrical nerve stimulator, or using pressure devices does not prevent nerve damage, even though most of the nerve injury is transiently. The incidence of neurologic symptoms or neuropathy is in the range of 0.02-2.2%, and no significant difference of postoperative neurologic symptoms is found as compared with using ultrasound or guided nerve stimulator technique. However, intrafascicular lidocaine brought about macrophage migration into the damaged fascicle, Schwann cell proliferation, increased intensity of myelin basic protein, and shorten withdrawal time to mechanical stimuli. In dorsal root ganglion (DRG), intrafascicular LA injection increased the activated transcriptional factor 3 (ATF-3) and downregulated Nav1.8 (Nav1.8). In spinal dorsal horn (SDH), the microglia and astrocytes located in SDH were activated and proliferated after intrafascicular LA injection and returned to baseline gradually at the end of the month. This is a kind of neuropathic pain, so low injection pressure should be maintained, the correct needle bevel used, nerve stimulator or ultrasound guidance applied, and careful and deliberately slow injection employed as important parts of the injection technique to prevent intrafascicular LA administration-induced neuropathic pain.

What Adverse Events and Injuries Are Cited in Anesthesia Malpractice Claims for Nonspine Orthopaedic Surgery?

BACKGROUND

Malpractice claims that arise during the perioperative care of patients receiving orthopaedic procedures will frequently involve both orthopaedic surgeons and anesthesiologists. The Anesthesia Closed Claims database contains anesthesia malpractice claim data that can be used to investigate patient safety events arising during the care of orthopaedic patients and can provide insight into the medicolegal liability shared by the two specialties.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) How do orthopaedic anesthetic malpractice claims differ from other anesthesia claims with regard to patient and case characteristics, common events and injuries, and liability profile? (2) What are the characteristics of patients who had neuraxial hematomas after spinal and epidural anesthesia for orthopaedic procedures? (3) What are the characteristics of patients who had orthopaedic anesthesia malpractice claims for central ischemic neurologic injury occurring during shoulder surgery in the beach chair position? (4) What are the characteristics of patients who had malpractice claims for respiratory depression and respiratory arrests in the postoperative period?

METHODS

The Anesthesia Closed Claims Project database was the source of data for this study. This national database derives data from a panel of liability companies (national and regional) and includes closed malpractice claims against anesthesiologists representing > 30% of practicing anesthesiologists in the United States from all types of practice settings (hospital, surgery centers, and offices). Claims for damage to teeth or dentures are not included in the database. Patient characteristics, type of anesthesia, damaging events, outcomes, and liability characteristics of anesthesia malpractice claims for events occurring in the years 2000 to 2013 related to nonspine orthopaedic surgery (n = 475) were compared with claims related to other procedures (n = 1592) with p < 0.05 as the criterion for statistical significance and two-tailed tests. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all comparisons. Three types of claims involving high-impact injuries in patients undergoing nonspine orthopaedic surgery were identified through database query for in-depth descriptive review: neuraxial hematoma (n = 10), central ischemic neurologic injury in the beach chair position (n = 9), and injuries caused by postoperative respiratory depression (n = 23).

RESULTS

Nonspine orthopaedic anesthesia malpractice claims were more frequently associated with nerve injuries (125 of 475 [26%], odds ratio [OR] 2.12 [1.66-2.71]) and events arising from the use of regional anesthesia (125 of 475 [26%], OR 6.18 (4.59-8.32) than in malpractice claims in other areas of anesthesia malpractice (230 of 1592 [14%] and 87 of 1592 [6%], respectively, p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Ninety percent (nine of 10) of patients with claims for neuraxial hematomas were receiving anticoagulant medication and all had severe long-term injuries, most with a history of significant delay in diagnosis and treatment after first appearance of signs and symptoms. Central ischemic injuries occurring during orthopaedic surgery in the beach chair position did not occur solely in patients who would have been considered at high risk for ischemic stroke. Patients with malpractice claims for injuries resulting from postoperative respiratory depression events had undergone lower extremity procedures (20 of 23 [87%]) and most events (22 of 23 [96%]) occurred on the day of surgery or the first postoperative day.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonspine orthopaedic anesthesia malpractice claims more frequently cited nerve injury and events arising from the use of regional anesthesia than other surgical anesthesia malpractice claims. This may reflect the frequency of regional anesthesia in orthopaedic cases rather than increased risk of injury associated with regional techniques. When neuraxial procedures and anticoagulation regimens are used concurrently, care pathways should emphasize clear lines of responsibility for coordination of care and early investigation of any unusual neurologic findings that might indicate neuraxial hematoma. We do not have a good understanding of the factors that render some patients vulnerable to the rare occurrence of intraoperative central ischemic injury in the beach chair position, but providers should carefully calculate cerebral perfusion pressure relative to measured blood pressure for patients in the upright position. Postoperative use of multiple opioids by different concurrent modes of administration warrant special precautions with consideration given to the provision of care in settings with enhanced respiratory monitoring. The limitations of retrospective closed claims database review prevent conclusions regarding causation. Nonetheless, the collection of relatively rare events with substantial clinical detail provides valuable data to generate hypotheses about causation with potential for future study to improve patient safety.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Review of the evidence: best analgesic regimen for shoulder surgery

Multimodal pain management has been advocated in patients experiencing acute pain after surgical procedures due to tissue damage and the subsequent inflammatory response. For patients undergoing shoulder surgeries, studies have definitively shown that interscalene blocks (ISBs) via single-injection or continuous infusion can reduce the total opioid consumption and can lower pain scores after surgery. In some cases, ISBs can be used as the sole anesthetic during shoulder surgeries and spare patients of receiving general anesthesia. However, clinicians should be fully aware of potential pulmonary complications of ISBs and weigh the risk-benefit ratio in patients with limited pulmonary reserve.

Liposomal bupivacaine versus interscalene nerve block for pain control after shoulder arthroplasty: a prospective randomized trial

HYPOTHESIS

Our hypothesis was that in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty, a prospective randomized trial would find no significant differences in average daily pain scores of those treated with interscalene nerve block (INB) vs. local liposomal bupivacaine (LB).

METHODS

Sixty patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty were assessed for eligibility. Study arms included either intraoperative local infiltration of LB (20 mL bupivacaine/20 mL saline) or preoperative INB, with a primary outcome of postoperative average daily visual analog scale scores for 4 days. Secondary outcomes assessed included opioid consumption, length of stay, and complications. Randomization was by a computerized algorithm. Only the observer was blinded to the intervention.

RESULTS

Three patients were excluded, all before randomization. A total of 57 patients were analyzed. Outcomes showed a significant increase in pain in the LB group between 0 and 8 hours postoperatively (mean [standard deviation] 5.3 [2.2] vs. 2.5 [3.0]; P = .001). A significant increase in intravenous morphine equivalents was found in the INB group at 13 to 16 hours (mean [standard deviation] 1.2 [0.9] vs. 0.6 [0.7]; P = .01). No significant differences were found in any variable after postoperative day 0 between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

An increase in early postoperative pain on the day of surgery was found with LB, whereas the INB group required more narcotics at the end of the day. After the day of surgery, there were no significant differences found in any variables. These findings suggest that LB provides similar overall pain relief as INB, with no increase in complications or length of stay and a decrease in narcotic requirements on the day of surgery.

Subscapularis function after total shoulder arthroplasty: electromyography, ultrasound, and clinical correlation

BACKGROUND

The literature lacks electromyographic (EMG) examination of subscapularis function in the postoperative period after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The primary purpose of this study was to document EMG activity of the subscapularis after TSA and to correlate it with clinical and ultrasound findings.

METHODS

The study included 30 patients who were at least 1 year (average, 2.1 years) from surgery, status post TSA approached through a standard subscapularis tenotomy. Patients returned for a physical examination, ultrasound evaluation, and EMG evaluation. Patients also completed postoperative surveys: the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire, the Simple Shoulder Test, and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey.

RESULTS

The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Shoulder Test, and physical 12-Item Short Form Health Survey scores improved from preoperatively to postoperatively, respectively, 45.3 to 76.8 (P = .0002), 3.9 to 9.0 (P < .0001), and 33.9 to 42.8 (P = .017). Six patients had a positive lift-off test result, and the belly-press test result was negative in all patients. Two patients had a subscapularis rupture on ultrasound. The postoperative EMG finding was normal in 15 patients; in the other 15 patients, there was evidence of chronic denervation with reinnervation changes: 30% subscapularis, 27% infraspinatus, 20% supraspinatus, 20% teres minor, and 13% rhomboids.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study using a comparison EMG evaluation to document subscapularis function after TSA. EMG evaluation showed that active denervation of the subscapularis was not evident in any patient at least 1 year after TSA. However, in half of the patients, there was evidence of chronicdenervation and reinnervation changes across 5 muscle groups. We theorize that surgical exposure, traction, and the use of interscalene regional anesthesia may contribute to these unexpected EMG results.

Local Anesthetic-Induced Neurotoxicity

This review summarizes current knowledge concerning incidence, risk factors, and mechanisms of perioperative nerve injury, with focus on local anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity. Perioperative nerve injury is a complex phenomenon and can be caused by a number of clinical factors. Anesthetic risk factors for perioperative nerve injury include regional block technique, patient risk factors, and local anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity. Surgery can lead to nerve damage by use of tourniquets or by direct mechanical stress on nerves, such as traction, transection, compression, contusion, ischemia, and stretching. Current literature suggests that the majority of perioperative nerve injuries are unrelated to regional anesthesia. Besides the blockade of sodium channels which is responsible for the anesthetic effect, systemic local anesthetics can have a positive influence on the inflammatory response and the hemostatic system in the perioperative period. However, next to these beneficial effects, local anesthetics exhibit time and dose-dependent toxicity to a variety of tissues, including nerves. There is equivocal experimental evidence that the toxicity varies among local anesthetics. Even though the precise order of events during local anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity is not clear, possible cellular mechanisms have been identified. These include the intrinsic caspase-pathway, PI3K-pathway, and MAPK-pathways. Further research will need to determine whether these pathways are non-specifically activated by local anesthetics, or whether there is a single common precipitating factor.

Pathophysiology and Etiology of Nerve Injury Following Peripheral Nerve Blockade

This review synthesizes anatomical, anesthetic, surgical, and patient factors that may contribute to neurologic complications associated with peripheral nerve blockade. Peripheral nerves have anatomical features unique to a given location that may influence risk of injury. Peripheral nerve blockade-related peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is most severe with intrafascicular injection. Surgery and its associated requirements such as positioning and tourniquet have specific risks. Patients with preexisting neuropathy may be at an increased risk of postoperative neurologic dysfunction. Distinguishing potential causes of PNI require clinical assessment and investigation; a definitive diagnosis, however, is not always possible. Fortunately, most postoperative neurologic dysfunction appears to resolve with time, and the incidence of serious long-term nerve injury directly attributable to peripheral nerve blockade is relatively uncommon. Nonetheless, despite the use of ultrasound guidance, the risk of block-related PNI remains unchanged.

WHAT'S NEW

Since the 2008 Practice Advisory, new information has been published, furthering our understanding of the microanatomy of peripheral nerves, mechanisms of peripheral nerve injection injury, toxicity of local anesthetics, the etiology of and monitoring methods, and technologies that may decrease the risk of nerve block-related peripheral nerve injury.

Interventional modalities to treat cancer-related pain

Cancer-related pain is a significant cause of morbidity in those affected by both primary and metastatic disease. Although oral, transdermal, and parenteral opioid medications are an integral part of the World Health Organization's analgesic ladder, their use may be limited by side effects. Fortunately, there are advanced interventional pain management strategies effective in reducing pain in the cancer patient while mitigating the aforementioned side effects. Celiac plexus blocks and neurolysis have been proven effective in treating cancers of the abdominal viscera (ie, pancreas). Transversus abdominis plane blocks, neurolysis, and catheter placement can be used to treat cancer pain associated with the abdominal wall. Peripheral nerve blocks and catheter placement at the brachial and lumbosacral plexus or peripheral nerves treat cancer pain associated with the upper and lower limbs, whereas paravertebral and intercostal blocks treat cancer pain associated with the chest wall and ribs. Finally, alternate drug delivery methods such as intrathecal drug delivery systems concentrate medication at central opioid receptors without affecting the peripheral receptors implicated in unwanted side effects. This article provides an overview of these interventions, including indications, contraindications, and potential complications of advanced interventional pain management options available for the treatment of intractable cancer-related pain.

Role of regional anesthesia in orthopedic trauma

Regional anesthesia plays a key role in the treatment of patients with orthopedic trauma. Trauma-induced pain can be in multiple locations, severe, and can predispose the patient to other morbidities. Additional complications as a result of the overdependence on opioids as a primary pain therapy that can be minimized or avoided with the use of regional anesthesia. Both neuraxial and peripheral regional techniques in patients with orthopedic trauma should be incorporated into the patient care plan and recognized as an essential therapeutic intervention in the overall treatment of this unique patient population.

Peripheral nerve blocks in shoulder arthroplasty: how do they influence complications and length of stay?

BACKGROUND

Regional anesthesia has proven to be a highly effective technique for pain control after total shoulder arthroplasty. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of upper-extremity nerve blocks, particularly with respect to the incidence of perioperative respiratory and neurologic complications, and little is known about their influence, if any, on length of stay after surgery.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

Using a large national cohort, we asked: (1) How frequently are upper-extremity peripheral nerve blocks added to general anesthesia in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty? (2) Are there differences in the incidence of and adjusted risk for major perioperative complications and mortality between patients receiving general anesthesia with and without nerve blocks? And (3) does resource utilization (blood product transfusion, intensive care unit admission, length of stay) differ between groups?

METHODS

We searched a nationwide discharge database for patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty under general anesthesia with or without addition of a nerve block. Groups were compared with regard to demographics, comorbidities, major perioperative complications, and length of stay. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to measure complications and resource use. A negative binomial regression was fitted to measure length of stay.

RESULTS

We identified 17,157 patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty between 2007 and 2011. Of those, approximately 21% received an upper-extremity peripheral nerve block in addition to general anesthesia. Patients receiving combined regional-general anesthesia had similar mean age (68.6 years [95% CI: 68.2-68.9 years] versus 69.1 years [95% CI: 68.9-69.3 years], p < 0.0043), a slightly lower mean Deyo (comorbidity) index (0.87 versus 0.93, p = 0.0052), and similar prevalence of individual comorbidities, compared to those patients receiving general anesthesia only. Addition of regional anesthesia was not associated with different odds ratios for complications, transfusion, and intensive care unit admission. Incident rates for length of stay were also similar between groups (incident rate ratio = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.97-1.02; p = 0.467) CONCLUSIONS: Addition of regional to general anesthesia was not associated with an increased complication profile or increased use of resources. In combination with improved pain control as known from previous research, regional anesthesia may represent a viable management option for shoulder arthroplasty. However, further research is necessary to better clarify the risk of neurologic complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.