Objective: This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of interscalene brachial plexus block (according to G. Meier) for shoulder surgery.
Patients and methods: Seventy-three patients, scheduled for the elective shoulder surgery, were included in this study. All patients received an interscalene block before surgery and a standard analgesia protocol after it. Minimal stimulating current, block performance time, the onset of sensory and motor blocks, duration of surgery and surgery type were recorded. The quality of nerve block was also evaluated by a surgeon. The duration of postoperative analgesia resulting from residual local anesthetic effect was expressed as the time to first requirement for post-operative pain medication. Satisfaction scores with a visual analog scale, side effects, circulatory and respiratory parameters were assessed.
Results: The success rate was 97%. For the nerve location a minimal stimulating current of 0.1 mA had been achieved. The median onset time of both motor and sensory blockade was <4 min. A complete muscle paralysis was observed after 21 (16-30) min. Duration of sensory blockade was 420 (240-840) min. The time from the block placement to the first request for pain medication was 8 (4-32) hours. Side effects were minor. Patient satisfaction was high.
Conclusions: Single injection interscalene brachial plexus block is a reliable anesthetic and effective method of providing postoperative pain relief after shoulder surgery.