Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery
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J Shoulder Elbow Surg · Jul 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyInterscalene versus subacromial continuous infusion of ropivacaine after arthroscopic acromioplasty: a randomized controlled trial.
Interscalene and subacromial infusion of local anesthetics have both been shown to be effective in alleviating pain after shoulder arthroscopy. We performed a prospective randomized clinical trial in which both methods were compared in patients after acromioplasty. ⋯ A continuous subacromial infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine (2 mL/h) is inferior to continuous interscalene infusion, particularly during the first 12 hours, but could be an alternative in patients with contraindications of interscalene anesthesia or when acromioplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure.