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Observational Study
. 2020 Jan-Feb;70(1):15-21.
doi: 10.1016/j.bjan.2019.11.001. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

[Efficacy of ultrasound guided suprascapular block in patients with chronic shoulder pain: retrospective observational study]

[Article in Portuguese]
Nuno Sá Malheiro  1 , Nuno Ricardo Afonso  2 , Diamantino Pereira  3 , Belinda Oliveira  4 , Carmélia Ferreira  4 , Ana Cristina Cunha  4
Affiliations
Observational Study

[Efficacy of ultrasound guided suprascapular block in patients with chronic shoulder pain: retrospective observational study]

[Article in Portuguese]
Nuno Sá Malheiro et al. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2020 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Painful shoulder syndrome is a frequent condition among the elderly and an important cause of functional disability. As the conservative treatment is not always effective, ultrasound guided suprascapular nerve blockade presents as an important alternative treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of 0.25% levobupivacaine and 40 mg of triamcinolone in the suprascapular nerve blockade in patients with chronic pain in the shoulder.

Methods: A retrospective, descriptive and analytical study of 71 patients submitted to suprascapular nerve infiltration between August 2014 and March 2017. Surveys were carried out to patients before the technique was performed, after 72 hours and at 1, 3 and 6 months. Pain intensity was assessed using a numeric pain scale (NPS).

Results: Out of the 71 patients who underwent a blockade of the suprascapular nerve, 81.2% reported a decrease in pain at 72 hours. In the first, third and sixth month, respectively, 89.8%, 76.1% and 61.8% of the patients presented pain relief. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was verified between NPS and the 4 moments assessed after the technique. 43.7% had total pain remission (NPS = 0) at six months. Global effectiveness of suprascapular nerve blockade was 60.6% and for the subgroup of patients with rotators’ cuff patology was 62.2%. No complications were reported regarding the suprascapular nerve block.

Conclusion: The results show that ultrasound-guided blockade of the suprascapular nerve using 0.25% levobupivacaine and 40 mg of triamcinolone is a safe and effective treatment in patients with chronic shoulder pain.

Keywords: Bloqueio do nervo supraescapular; Chronic pain; Dor crônica; Ecografia; Ombro; Shoulder; Suprascapular nerve blockade; Ultrasound‐guided.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Behavior of Pain at the five assessment times. Assessment of Med, IQR, maximum and minimum.
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