Comparing interscalene and infraspinatus‑teres minor nerve blocks for arthroscopic shoulder surgery
Comparison of Interscalene and Infraspinatus-Teres Minor Blocks on Postoperative Opioid Consumption and Pain Scores in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
This will test whether an infraspinatus‑teres minor nerve block gives similar pain relief but fewer breathing problems than an interscalene block for adults having elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ataturk University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Erzurum) |
| Trial ID | NCT07253740 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-center, randomized trial will assign adults undergoing elective unilateral arthroscopic shoulder surgery to receive either an interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) or an infraspinatus‑teres minor (ITM) interfascial block performed under ultrasound guidance. Postoperative pain is managed with patient-controlled IV opioid analgesia and the primary outcome is total 24-hour opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes include pain scores, duration of analgesia, incidence and severity of hemidiaphragmatic paresis, and changes in pulmonary function. The study aims to determine whether ITM provides comparable perioperative analgesia while reducing respiratory compromise compared with ISB.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (ASA I–III) scheduled for elective unilateral arthroscopic shoulder surgery who can give informed consent and have no pre-existing respiratory dysfunction or contraindications to regional anesthesia.
Not a fit: Patients with severe cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease, pre-existing neurological deficits or respiratory dysfunction, on anticoagulant therapy, with chronic shoulder pain, planned open surgery, or allergy to study drugs may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the ITM block could provide similar pain control with a lower risk of hemidiaphragmatic paresis and less postoperative pulmonary compromise.
How similar studies have performed: Interscalene block is well established for shoulder analgesia but frequently causes hemidiaphragmatic paresis, while posterior interfascial approaches like ITM have shown promising but limited and mixed evidence to date.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * The American Society of Anesthesiologists I-III * Scheduled for elective unilateral arthroscopic shoulder surgery * Provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Refusal to participate * Allergy to study drugs * Severe cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease * Neurological deficit or neuropathy * Anticoagulant therapy * Pre-existing respiratory dysfunction * Chronic shoulder pain or planned open surgery
Where this trial is running
Erzurum
- Ataturk University — Erzurum, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ali Ahıskalıoğlu, Professor — Ataturk University Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation
- Study coordinator: Ali Ahıskalıoğlu, Professor
- Email: aliahiskalioglu@hotmail.com
- Phone: +90-554-442-48-31
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.