Effectiveness of Field Block Compared With Interscalene Block in Shoulder Surgery (NCT07173894) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Effectiveness of Field Block Compared With Interscalene Block in Shoulder Surgery
Israel64 participantsStarted 2024-08-01
Plain-language summary
This study will compare two different types of anesthesia used for shoulder surgery. The first method, called an interscalene block, is commonly performed by anesthesiologists and is effective for pain control but may cause side effects such as breathing problems, arm weakness, or discomfort. The second method, called a shoulder field block, is a newer technique performed by orthopedic surgeons that numbs the nerves around the shoulder without affecting breathing.
Patients scheduled for shoulder surgery will be randomly assigned to receive either the interscalene block or the shoulder field block. The main goal of the study is to find out whether the shoulder field block provides pain relief that is as effective as the interscalene block, but with fewer side effects.
Pain levels, patient satisfaction, length of hospital stay, need for pain medication, and any complications will be recorded and compared between the two groups. The results may help identify a safe and effective alternative anesthesia option for patients undergoing shoulder surgery.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 18 and 75 years
* Scheduled for arthroscopic or open shoulder surgery
Exclusion Criteria:
* Prior surgery or trauma to the shoulder
* Revision shoulder surgery
* Fibromyalgia
* Pregnancy
* Contraindications to regional anesthesia (e.g., allergy to local anesthetics, coagulopathy, local site infection)
* Preexisting neuropathy or myopathy of the surgical limb
* History of chronic opioid use
* Cognitive impairment or inability to understand pain scoring systems (e.g., dementia)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial compared a 'field block' with an 'interscalene block' for shoulder surgery pain — can you explain what each of those techniques involves, and which one you would typically recommend for my procedure?
2Since this study measured post-operative pain using a Numerical Rating Scale, what do the results actually show about how well each block controlled pain after surgery, and does one method seem to work better than the other?
3The interscalene block is known to sometimes cause temporary breathing or nerve side effects — did this trial track those kinds of complications, and how does the field block compare in terms of safety based on what was found?
4Since this trial is already completed, does the evidence from it influence how you currently approach pain management for shoulder surgery in patients like me, or do you follow a different standard of care?
5Are there factors specific to my health situation — like lung function, existing nerve issues, or the type of shoulder surgery I need — that would make one of these regional anesthesia approaches a better or worse fit for me?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Postoperative pain intensity measured by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)
Timeframe: From 1 hour postoperative until 48 hours after surgery