The preemptive analgesic effect of intraarticular bupivacaine and morphine after ambulatory arthroscopic knee surgery

Intraarticular (IA) morphine provides effective postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery. Some investigators have suggested that the preemptive administration of opioids may reduce postoperative analgesic requirements and hypersensitivity. We evaluated the analgesic effect of administering IA morphine either before or after surgical incision in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under local anesthesia. Forty patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy were randomized into two groups. All patients received IA bupivacaine 0.25% before and after surgery together with IV sedation using midazolam and propofol. The Preemptive IA Morphine group received a single 3-mg dose of morphine with their preoperative bupivacaine. The Post-IA Morphine group received 3 mg of morphine at the completion of surgery with the postoperative bupivacaine. After surgery, pain scores, the time to first opioid use, and 24-h analgesic use were recorded. Analgesic duration, defined as the time from completion of surgery until first opioid use, was significantly longer in those patients receiving preoperative (953 +/- 209 min) versus postoperative (556 +/- 121 min) IA morphine. The 24-h acetaminophen and oxycodone use was less in the Preemptive group (2.2 +/- 1.2 pills) versus the Postoperative group (3.0 +/- 1.2 pills). We conclude that IA morphine provides a longer duration of postoperative analgesia with less 24-h opioid use when administered before surgery. Implications: The administration of intraarticular morphine 3 mg before arthroscopic knee surgery provides a longer duration of analgesia with less 24-h opioid use compared with the administration of the drug at the completion of surgery.     

Comparison of postoperative analgesic effects of intraarticular bupivacaine and morphine following arthroscopic knee surgery.

Recent studies have shown that, in the presence of inflammation, the local administration of opioids results in analgesia. The analgesic efficacy of local anesthetics and morphine administered intraarticularly was compared in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under epidural anesthesia. We compared postoperative pain scores (VAS) and opioid requirements among 47 patients receiving, in a randomized, double-blinded fashion, one of three intraarticular medications (20 ml): normal saline with 100 micrograms epinephrine (group 1, n = 16); 0.25% bupivacaine with 100 micrograms epinephrine (group 2, n = 15); and 3 mg morphine sulfate and 100 micrograms epinephrine in normal saline (group 3, n = 16). VAS scores were similar in the groups preoperatively and on arrival in the recovery room. At the end of the first postoperative hour, the residual sensory blockade was minimal in all three groups (mean = 3.8-4.1 segments) and almost total recovery occurred in all three groups before the second postoperative hour. The VAS in group 3 was not significantly different than group 1 at any time interval. Intraarticular bupivacaine (group 2) provided significantly better analgesia than did saline or morphine (group 1 or 3) in the first 2 postoperative hours (ANOVA, P < .05). Subsequent VAS scores were not significantly different in the three groups. While no patient in group 2 requested analgesics during the first postoperative hour, nine patients in group 3 required systemic analgesics (P < .01). We conclude that no evidence for a peripheral opiate-receptor mediated analgesia could be demonstrated in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under epidural anesthesia.     

Intraarticular morphine, bupivacaine, and morphine/bupivacaine for pain control after knee videoarthroscopy.

Evidence has accumulated that opioids can produce potent antinociceptive effects by interacting with opioid receptors in peripheral tissues. This study sought to compare the effects of morphine with those of bupivacaine administered intraarticularly upon pain following arthroscopic knee surgery. In a double-blind, randomized manner, 33 patients received either morphine (1 mg in 20 ml NaCl; n = 11), bupivacaine (20 ml, 0.25%; n = 11), or a combination of the two (n = 11) intraarticularly at the completion of surgery. After 1, 2, 3, and 4 h and at the end of the 1st and 2nd postoperative days, pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale, and supplemental analgesic requirements were recorded. Pain scores were significantly greater in the morphine group than in the other two groups at 1 h. There were no significant differences at 2 and 3 h. From 4 h until the end of the study period, pain scores were significantly greater in the bupivacaine group than in the other two groups. Analgesic requirements were significantly greater in the morphine group than in the other groups at 1 h but were significantly greater in the bupivacaine group than in the other groups throughout the remainder of the study period. We conclude that intraarticular morphine produces an analgesic effect of delayed onset but of remarkably long duration. The combination of these two drugs results in satisfactory analgesia throughout the entire observation period.     

Effects of ketorolac and bupivacaine on recovery after outpatient arthroscopy.

The effects of intraarticular bupivacaine, systemic ketorolac, and a combination of both treatments on postoperative pain and mobilization were evaluated in 60 healthy outpatients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under general anesthesia. After induction of anesthesia, patients received 2 mL of either ketorolac (60 mg) or saline solution (1 mL IV and 1 mL IM). On completion of surgery, the patient's knee joint was injected with 30 mL of either 0.5% bupivacaine or saline solution, according to a randomized, double-blind protocol. Only one patient (6%) receiving both medications complained of pain on awakening, compared with seven patients receiving either bupivacaine (37%) or ketorolac (41%) alone. Postoperative fentanyl was required by significantly fewer patients receiving combined therapy (n = 4, 21%) than either bupivacaine (n = 13, 62%) or ketorolac (n = 12, 60%) alone; however, there were no significant differences among the three treatment groups in terms of perioperative pain, nausea, or sedation visual analogue scale scores. Similarly, there were no differences in the times to ambulation or discharge or in analgesic requirements at home. In conclusion, a combination of systemic ketorolac and intraarticular bupivacaine decreased analgesic requirements and pain on awakening after arthroscopic surgery. However, the use of ketorolac alone or in combination with bupivacaine offered no advantage over bupivacaine alone with respect to recovery times after outpatient arthroscopy.     

Postoperative analgesia for outpatient arthroscopic knee surgery with intraarticular clonidine and/or morphine

Both clonidine, an alpha(2) agonist, and morphine, an opioid agonist, provide enhanced patient analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery when administered via the intraarticular (IA) route. Clonidine potentiates morphine analgesia in the animal model. We designed this study to determine whether clonidine or morphine results in better analgesia and whether their combination would provide superior analgesia to either drug alone. We evaluated 60 patients undergoing arthroscopic knee meniscus repair under local anesthesia with sedation. After surgery, patients were randomized into four IA groups: Group B received 30 mL 0.25% bupivacaine; Group BC received 30 mL 0.25% bupivacaine and clonidine 1 microg/kg; Group BM received 30 mL 0.25% bupivacaine and morphine 3 mg; and Group BCM received 30 mL 0.25% bupivacaine, clonidine 1 microg/kg, and morphine 3 mg. This study revealed a significant benefit from the individual IA administration of both clonidine and morphine. The combination of these drugs resulted in decreased postoperative pain and analgesic use, as well as an increased analgesic duration compared with either drug alone. We conclude that IA clonidine and morphine improved comfort compared with either drug alone in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.     

The pre-emptive analgesic effect of intra-articular bupivacaine in arthroscopic knee surgery

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether intra-articular injection of bupivacaine prior to surgery provided better pain control after arthroscopic meniscectomy as compared with post-operative administration of bupivacaine. METHODS: Forty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy were assigned in a randomized, double-blinded manner into two groups: Group I received 20 ml of 2.5 mg/ml bupivacaine without epinephrine 30 min before skin incision and 20 ml of saline immediately after skin closure. Group II received identical injections in reverse order. All patients received total intravenous anesthesia. Post-operative pain scores were evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h at rest and movement of the knee, using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). The time to first analgesic use and 24-h analgesic consumption were recorded. RESULTS: Pain scores were lower in Group I compared with Group II at 1, 2, 4 and 6 h at rest and on movement (P < 0.05). The time to first analgesic use was longer in Group I, but there was no statistically significant difference in 24-h analgesic consumption. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular bupivacaine administered before surgery provided a statistically significant reduction in post-operative pain scores compared with post-operative bupivacaine administration.     

Comparison of intraarticular bupivacaine with the addition of morphine or fentanyl for analgesia after arthroscopic surgery

A randomized study on 30 patients undergoing knee arthroscopy was performed. Group I (n = 15) received 50 mg of 0.25% bupivacaine and 1 mg of morphine, and group II (n = 15) received 50 mg of 0.25% bupivacaine and 100 μg of fentanyl. The visual analogue scale was recorded at intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after the operation. Supplementary analgesia requirements were also recorded. In group I, pain scores were lower than group II (P < .05) during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 12th, 24th, and 48th hours. The duration of analgesia on group I was significantly longer than group II. The combination of intraarticular morphine and bupivacaine has a longer analgesic duration and effect than a combination of fentanyl and bupivacaine.     

The preemptive analgesic effect of rofecoxib after ambulatory arthroscopic knee surgery.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide effective postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery. Some investigators have suggested that the preemptive administration of NSAIDs may reduce postoperative analgesic requirements and hypersensitivity. We evaluated the analgesic effect of administering rofecoxib either before or after surgical incision in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under local anesthesia. Sixty patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy were randomized into three groups. All patients received intraarticular bupivacaine 0.25% pre- and postsurgery together with IV sedation using midazolam and propofol. The Preincisional group received a single 50 mg dose of rofecoxib 1 h before surgery, the Postincisional group received rofecoxib 50 mg after the completion of surgery, and the Placebo group received a placebo tablet before surgery. Pain scores, the time to first opioid use, and 24-h analgesic use were recorded. Analgesic duration, defined as the time from completion of surgery until first opioid use, was significantly longer in those patients receiving pre- (803 +/- 536 min) versus postincisional (461 +/- 344 min) rofecoxib or placebo (318 +/- 108 min). The 24 h acetaminophen/oxycodone use was less in the Preincisional group (1.5 +/- 0.6 pills) versus the Postincisional group (3.3 +/- 1.3 pills) or the Placebo group (5.5 +/- 1.6 pills). Pain scores with movement were lower in the Preincisional group at all postoperative time intervals. We conclude that rofecoxib provides effective postoperative analgesia for arthroscopic meniscectomy. Further, the administration of rofecoxib 50 mg before surgery provides a longer duration of postoperative analgesia, less 24 h opioid use, and lower incidental pain scores compared with administering the drug after the completion of surgery. IMPLICATIONS: The administration of rofecoxib 50 mg before arthroscopic knee surgery provides a longer duration of analgesia, less 24-h opioid use, and lower pain scores than administering the drug after the completion of surgery.     

Intraarticular morphine and bupivacaine reduces postoperative pain after rotator cuff repair

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To determine whether intraarticular injection of morphine, fentanyl, or sufentanil added to bupivacaine provided pain control after open rotator cuff repair. METHODS: These data were collected as a prospective, randomized, blinded observer study. All patients received a standard interscalene anesthetic with 1.4% mepivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine. At the conclusion of surgery, they received an intraarticular injection after the shoulder capsule was closed. Patients were randomized into 4 groups. All received 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine: group 1, plain; group 2, with 1 mg of morphine added; group 3, with 50 microg of fentanyl added; and group 4, with 10 microg of sufentanil added. Pain scores in the postanesthesia care unit were evaluated at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 minutes and at 4-hour intervals postoperatively using a visual analogue scale. Breakthrough pain was managed with morphine, via patient controlled analgesia pump. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were entered into the study. Pain scores at 2 hours and beyond were lowest in group 2. Total morphine utilization was significantly lower for the first 24 hours in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Intraarticular injection of the shoulder with 0.25% bupivacaine and 1 mg morphine at the conclusion of surgery provided pain control and diminished morphine used in the first 24 hours after open rotator cuff repair. Fentanyl and sufentanil did not improve the analgesia over that achieved with bupivacaine alone.     

Comparison between intra-articular bupivacaine with epinephrine and epinephrine alone on short-term and long-term pain after knee arthroscopic surgery under general anesthesia in day-surgery patients

BACKGROUND: : Postarthroscopy analgesia has been provided with intra-articular bupivacaine, but reported results are conflicting regarding efficacy and the duration of analgesia. The immediate and long-term effects of intra-articular bupivacaine with epinephrine after arthroscopic knee surgery were therefore studied in a day surgery setting. METHODS: : 120 ASA I-II patients scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery were given general anesthesia with spontaneous breathing via a laryngeal mask. In a randomized and blinded fashion half of them received, at the end of surgery, intra-articularly 20 mL 0.5% bupivacaine with epinephrine (B + E-group) and the other half 20 mL saline with epinephrine (S + E-group). All patients received ketoprofen 100 mg i.v. during surgery and another 100 mg 2-3 h postoperatively. The patients were observed for about 4.5 h in the day surgery unit before discharge. RESULTS: : The results showed that in comparison with the S + E-group, significantly fewer patients in the B + E-group needed analgesics (P < 0.0001) and the amount required was also significantly less postoperatively, before discharge (about 4.5 h postoperatively) (P < 0.0001). The latency to the need for the first postoperative analgesic was shorter in the S + E-group patients (P < 0.0001). At home, during seven days after discharge, the need for analgesic (oral ketoprofen 100 mg) was greater in the B + E-group (P < 0.05), especially only during the second postoperative day, but the visual analoque pain scale (VAPS) scores were low with no differences between the groups. No complication occurred. CONCLUSION: : It is concluded that a good postoperative pain control of intra-articular bupivacaine with epinephrine was found only in the immediate postoperative period (i.e. before discharge) in a day-surgery arthroscopic knee surgery patients.     

Intra-articular morphine and bupivacaine analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery

We assessed the effectiveness of intra-articular solutions of morphine, bupivacaine with adrenaline and a combination of both, compared with placebo in facilitating mobilisation and reducing postoperative pain and analgesic requirements for 24 h after operation. Forty patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery were studied in a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial. All treatments proved more effective than placebo in facilitating earlier mobilisation and in decreasing postoperative pain as measured by visual analogue scale. Morphine alone provided the best analgesia and significantly decreased analgesic consumption for 24 h after surgery. We conclude that 1 mg of intra-articular morphine provides effective pain relief following arthroscopic knee surgery and that the addition of bupivacaine is of no benefit.     

A comparison of intra-articular magnesium and/or morphine with bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery

Purpose

Both magnesium and morphine provide enhanced patient analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery when administered separately via the intra-articular route. Magnesium sulfate amplifies the analgesic effect of morphine. This study was designed to compare the analgesic effects of intra-articular magnesium and morphine, with bupivacaine, when used separately and in combination.

Methods

Eighty patients undergoing arthroscopic menisectomy were randomized blindly into four intra-articular groups: group B+Mor+Mg received 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine, morphine 2 mg, and magnesium 150 mg; group B+Mor received 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine and morphine 2 mg; group B+Mg received 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine and magnesium 150 mg; and group B received 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine. Pain scores at rest and during movement, analgesic duration, and total analgesic consumption were recorded.

Results

Group B+Mor and group B+Mg patients had equally effective postoperative analgesia. Group B+Mor+Mg patients had significantly reduced visual analogue scale (VAS) values both at rest and during movement and significantly increased time to first postoperative analgesic request, as well as significantly reduced total analgesic consumption, compared with the other groups.

Conclusion

Intra-articular administration of magnesium sulfate or morphine, with bupivacaine, had comparable analgesic effects in the doses used. Their combination provided more effective postoperative analgesia than either drug alone.     

Prophylacticip injection of bupivacaine and/or morphine does not improve postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of ip bupivacaine and/or morphine for postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic surgery. A controversy exists on the effectiveness and clinical value of ip injection of local anesthetics for postoperative analgesia. A possible peripheral analgesic effect of morphine after ip injection remains debated as well. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, study to compare the efficacy of prophylactic ip administration of 0.9% saline (n = 16), 0.5% bupivacaine (100 mg, n = 15), morphine (3 mg, n = 16) and a mixture with 0.5% bupivacaine (100 mg) and morphine (3 mg, n = 18) to reduce both postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. A multimodal analgesia regimen (acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and morphine) was used for postoperative analgesia. RESULTS: No difference was observed in postoperative pain scores (visual analogue scale at rest and on coughing), or analgesic requirements during the first 24 postoperative hours between the four groups. There was also no significant intergroup difference in sedation scores and incidence of nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION: When multimodal postoperative analgesia is used, prophylactic ip administration of 100 mg bupivacaine and/or 3 mg morphine does not significantly improve postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.     

Analgesic effect of interscalene block using low-dose bupivacaine for outpatient arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Background and Objectives. Although interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) is often used to provide anesthesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery, its selective analgesic effect, provided by low-dose local anesthetic, has not been studied. We hypothesized that ISBPB using a low volume and low concentration of bupivacaine can provide effective postoperative analgesia for shoulder surgery without producing significant sensory or motor block elsewhere. Methods. In this double-blind study, 30 outpatients scheduled to undergo shoulder arthroscopy were randomly assigned to receive either an ISBPB with 10 mL 0.125% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:400,000 (n = 15) or 10 mL of normal saline (n = 15). The block was performed preoperative, prior to a standardized general anesthetic. Postoperative pain scores, morphine and oral analgesic consumption, recovery profile, and patient satisfaction were recorded. Results. In the ISBPB group, verbal analog pain scores within 120 minutes after surgery were lower, morphine consumption in the postanesthesia care unit was significantly lower (2.7 ± 2.6 mg vs 9.5 ± 5.2 mg), the time to postoperative administration of the first systemic or oral analgesic was significantly longer (141 ± 182 minutes vs 13 ± 10 minutes), the degree of motor and sensory block 120 minutes after surgery was minimal, time to reach hospital discharge criteria was earlier, and patient satisfaction with postoperative analgesia at 24-hour follow-up was greater. Thirty-three percent of the patients receiving ISBPB did not require any analgesic prior to hospital discharge. Conclusions. Interscalene brachial plexus block with low-dose bupivacaine is a useful and selective analgesic technique for outpatient shoulder arthroscopic surgery.     

Femoral nerve block for total knee arthroplasty patients: a method to control postoperative pain

This study was designed to determine the effects of a single-injection femoral nerve block (FNB) using 30 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000, on pain control following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Forty patients were randomly distributed into 2 groups: Group A received general anesthesia plus a FNB (n = 19), whereas Group B received general anesthesia plus a FNB with 30 mL of preservative-free saline (n = 21). The amount of morphine used, sedation, and average pain perception were measured for the first 24 hours and daily postoperatively. Group A used significantly less morphine (48.1 mg) compared with Group B, which used 76.2 mg during the first 24 hours after surgery (P = 0.003). Group A's sedation scale was significantly less than group B's (2.26 vs 2.67) (P = 0.045). The average pain perception was significantly different (P =.002). Postoperative management of pain following TKA can be improved through a preoperative single-injection FNB with 0.5% bupivacaine plus epinephrine 1:200,000. The cost is minimal, risks appear acceptable, and the procedure is efficacious.     

Bupivacaine/ketamine is superior to intra-articu-lar ketamine analgesia following arthroscopic knee surgery

PURPOSE: Centroneuraxial and parenteral administration of ketamine has been shown to produce analgesia. However, this analgesia is limited by adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ketamine alone or in combination with bupivacaine provides superior pain relief after surgery in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy. METHODS: Sixty patients (classified as ASA status I or II) under-going arthroscopic meniscus repair during general anesthesia were randomized to receive 1.0 mg x kg(-1) ketamine (Group K), 0.25% bupivacaine (Group B) or a combination of 1.0 mg x kg(-1) ketamine and 0.25% bupivacaine (Group BK) to a total volume of 20 mL by intra-articular route following surgery. Visual analogue score in the postanesthesia care unit at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hr after surgery, duration of analgesia and subsequent 24 hr consumption of rescue analgesic (dextroproxyphene/acetaminophen) were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed significantly higher pain scores in Group K as compared to Group B and Group BK. The duration of analgesia was significantly shorter in Group K as compared to the other two groups (Group B = 5.7 +/- 0.8; Group BK = 5.1 +/- 1.1 vs Group K = 1.7 +/- 0.9 hr; P < 0.05). However, 24 hr consumption of analgesic was similar in the three groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that intra-articular bupivacaine-ketamine combination provides better pain relief than intra-articular ketamine after day care arthroscopic knee surgery.     

Dose-dependency of intra-articular morphine analgesia

We have examined if the analgesic effects of intra-articular morphine are dose-dependent in patients undergoing elective arthroscopic knee surgery. At the end of surgery, patients were allocated randomly to one of four groups to receive intra-articular saline (n = 22), or morphine 1 mg (n = 24), 2 mg (n = 21) or 4 mg (n = 19). After operation, patients remained in hospital overnight and pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 h after intra-articular injection. Patients requesting additional analgesia received a loading dose of piritramide 0.1 mg kg-1 i.v. and were connected to a PCA device using the same drug. Increasing doses of intra-articular morphine were associated with greater analgesic effects and less supplementary analgesic requirements.      

Prevention of postoperative pain after thyroid surgery: a double-blind randomized study of bilateral superficial cervical plexus blocks

Local anesthetic infiltration may reduce postthyroidectomy pain. We performed a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the analgesic efficacy of bilateral superficial cervical plexus blocks performed at the end of surgery. Ninety patients undergoing elective thyroid surgery by the same surgeon under general anesthesia were randomized to receive 20 mL isotonic sodium chloride or 20 mL bupivacaine 0.25% with 1:200,000 epinephrine. Postoperative pain was assessed every 4 h using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS-11). All patients received acetaminophen every 6 h. In addition, morphine was administered following a standardized protocol if the NRS-11 score was > or = 4. The main outcome variables were pain scores (NRS-11), the proportion of patients given morphine at any time during the 24-h period, and the amount of morphine administered. The Bupivacaine group had a smaller proportion of patients given morphine (66.0% vs 90.0%; P = 0.016), and lower initial median pain scores (P = 0.002). We conclude that bilateral superficial cervical plexus blocks significantly reduce pain intensity in the postoperative period after thyroid surgery but do not provide optimal pain relief alone.     

Low-dose intra-articular ketorolac for pain relief following arthroscopy of the knee joint

The systemic administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents has been shown to improve analgesia following arthroscopy of the knee joint. Ketorolac 60 mg, when given intra-articularly, provides better postoperative analgesia than an identical dose administered systemically. We compared the postoperative analgesic effect of ketorolac 10 mg given intravenously with 5 mg intra-articularly in 60 patients undergoing arthroscopy of the knee joint under general anaesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated in a double-blind manner to receive 0.25% bupivacaine 20 ml and ketorolac 5 mg intra-articularly (n = 27) or intravenous ketorolac 10 mg followed by 0.25% bupivicaine 20 ml (n = 30) at the end of surgery. There were no differences between the groups in terms of their physical characteristics or in the nature of procedure performed. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in time to first analgesia or postoperative visual analogue pain scores at 1, 2 and 4 h (p = 0.6). The median consumption of a standard analgesic was reduced in the intra-articular group in the second 24-h period but this did not achieve statistical significance (p = 0.08). Only five patients in total needed postoperative morphine. A reduced amount of locally applied ketorolac (5 mg) provides similar analgesia to a higher systemic dose (10 mg) following knee arthroscopy.     

Pain relief after arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a comparison of intraarticular analgesia, suprascapular nerve block, and interscalene brachial plexus block

In this prospective, randomized, blinded study, we assessed the analgesic efficacy of interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB), suprascapular nerve block (SSB), and intraarticular local anesthetic (IA) after arthroscopic acromioplasty. One-hundred-twenty patients were divided into 4 groups of 30. In Group SSB, the block was performed with 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. In Group IA, 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was administered intraarticularly at the end of surgery. In Group ISB, the block was performed with 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. A control group was included for comparison. General anesthesia was administered to all patients. Patients were observed during the first 24 h. Pain scores, supplemental analgesia, satisfaction scores, and side effects were recorded at 4 and 24 h. No significant difference was observed between the IA and control groups. When compared with these groups, Groups SSB and ISB had significantly lower pain scores. At 4-h follow-up, better pain relief on movement was noted in Group ISB than in Group SSB. When compared with controls, a significant reduction in morphine consumption and a better satisfaction score were noted only in Group ISB. We conclude that ISB is the most efficient analgesic technique after arthroscopic acromioplasty. SSN block would be a clinically appropriate alternative.