SPENG Block Versus Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks for Pain After Shoulder Arthroscopy

Sponsor
Izmir City Hospital
Study ID
NCT07762417
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Postoperative Pain
  • Shoulder Arthroscopy

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 70 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) Block — PROCEDURE
    An ultrasound-guided single-injection posterior pericapsular block. With the participant in the lateral decubitus position and the operative shoulder uppermost, a high-frequency linear ultrasound transducer will be placed transversely immediately inferior to the posterior acromion. After identification of the humeral head, articular cartilage, infraspinatus muscle, and posterior glenoid rim, a block needle will be advanced in-plane in a medial-to-lateral direction. The needle tip will be positioned between the posterior glenoid rim and the deep surface of the infraspinatus muscle, and 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be injected.
  • Combined Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks — PROCEDURE
    wo ultrasound-guided nerve blocks will be performed. For the posterior suprascapular nerve block, the suprascapular nerve will be identified in the suprascapular notch region beneath the supraspinatus muscle, and 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be administered. For the axillary nerve block, the posterior humeral circumflex artery will be identified using color Doppler in the quadrilateral space, and 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be administered adjacent to the axillary nerve.

Study Details

This prospective, randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded, single-center non-inferiority trial will compare the analgesic efficacy of the Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) block with combined posterior suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks in adults undergoing elective shoulder arthroscopy under general anesthesia. Both groups will receive the same total volume and concentration of local anesthetic. The primary outcome will be the highest resting Numeric Rating Scale pain score recorded during the first 24 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes will include block performance time, sensory block success in suprascapular and axillary nerve territories, opioid consumption, time to rescue analgesia, motor function, diaphragmatic function, postoperative recovery quality, patient satisfaction, and block-related complications.

Key Dates

First listed
Aug 13, 2026
Start date
Nov 1, 2026
Status verified
Aug 2026
Primary completion
May 31, 2027
Completion
Jun 15, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: SPENG Block
    Participants assigned to this group will receive an ultrasound-guided Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) block before general anesthesia for shoulder arthroscopy. A total of 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be administered as a single injection between the posterior glenoid rim and the deep surface of the infraspinatus muscle.
  • Active Comparator: Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks
    Participants assigned to this group will receive ultrasound-guided posterior suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks before general anesthesia for shoulder arthroscopy. A total of 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be administered, consisting of 10 mL for the posterior suprascapular nerve block and 10 mL for the axillary nerve block.

Primary Outcome Measure

Highest Resting Numeric Rating Scale Pain Score During the First 24 Postoperative Hours [ Time Frame: From arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit through 24 hours after surgery ]

Central Contacts

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