Background: The optimal postoperative analgesia after open rotator cuff repair surgery remains unclear. This study compared the use of a multimodal pain regimen including periarticular injection (PAI), with a control condition. We hypothesized that PAI leads to decreased opioid consumption and lower pain scores.
Methods: The perioperative analgesic regimen was standardized and implemented from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. The PAI was administered from July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. The historical control group was enrolled from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017. The evaluation items included assessments of pain using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) before and after the mini-open rotator cuff repair and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. The dose of ketorolac suppository and its side effects were also evaluated.
Results: The VAS score on the day of the operation was significantly low in the PAI group and less incidence of night pain. The time point of the rescue drug was longer in the PAI group than the control group (12.7 hours vs. 0.62 hours; p < 0.01). No cardiac or central nervous system toxicity was observed.
Discussion: In our study, PAI in the shoulder after mini-open rotator cuff repair showed effective pain control on the day of the surgery, postponed the time of the first dosage of intravenous pain medication, and reduced the total dosage of the intravenous pain medication.
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