A randomised controlled trial of shoulder block vs. interscalene brachial plexus block for ventilatory function after shoulder arthroscopy

Summary The shoulder block may impair ventilatory function and diaphragmatic movement less than the interscalene brachial plexus block. We randomly allocated 30 adults who underwent shoulder arthroscopy under general anaesthesia to ultrasound‐guided shoulder block or interscalene block with 20 ml bupivacaine 0.5%. The primary outcome, rate of ultrasound‐measured hemidiaphragmatic excursion < 25% of baseline 30 min after blockade, was reduced...