Shoulder PainISB vs SSBNCT07445126
Comparison of the Effectiveness of USG-Guided Interscalene Block Versus Combined Interscalen-Suprascapular Block for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
A study testing Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block and Combined Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve Blocks in people with Shoulder Pain and Artroscopic Surgery, run by Asuman Ocaklar.
Trial summary
This study aims to compare two commonly used regional anesthesia techniques for shoulder arthroscopy: the ultrasound-guided interscalene block and the combined interscalene-suprascapular nerve block. Both techniques are routinely performed to reduce pain during and after shoulder surgery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Shoulder Pain, Artroscopic Surgery, Postoperative Pain
- What is being tested?
- Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block and Combined Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve Blocks
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to 30 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Planned arthroscopic shoulder surgery ASA physical status I-III Age between 18 and 75 years Ability to provide informed consent Suitable for regional anesthesia with ultrasound guidance
Who cannot join
- Allergy or contraindication to local anesthetics Coagulopathy or current anticoagulant therapy Infection at the block injection site Severe pulmonary disease (e.g., severe COPD) Pre-existing neurological deficit in the operative upper limb Body mass index > 40 kg/m² Pregnancy or breastfeeding History of phrenic nerve palsy Inability to cooperate with block procedure or follow-up
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block Versus Combined Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve Blocks in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
This study aims to compare two commonly used regional anesthesia techniques for shoulder arthroscopy: the ultrasound-guided interscalene block and the combined interscalene-suprascapular nerve block. Both techniques are routinely performed to reduce pain during and after shoulder surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine which method provides better postoperative pain control, reduces the need for pain medication, and causes fewer side effects such as diaphragmatic dysfunction. Participants will receive one of the two nerve block techniques before surgery, and their pain scores, opioid consumption, and respiratory effects will be monitored during the first 24 hours after the operation.
Read the detailed description
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a commonly performed procedure, and effective perioperative analgesia is essential for improving patient comfort, reducing opioid consumption, and enabling early rehabilitation. The ultrasound-guided interscalene block is considered the standard regional anesthesia technique for shoulder surgery; however, it may cause hemidiaphragmatic paresis due to phrenic nerve involvement. To reduce this risk while maintaining effective analgesia, the combination of interscalene and suprascapular nerve blocks has recently gained attention as a promising alternative.
The suprascapular nerve supplies approximately 70% of sensory innervation to the shoulder joint, and its blockade may enhance postoperative pain control when combined with a low-volume interscalene block. This combined technique has been proposed as a potentially safer option with fewer respiratory side effects, particularly in patients at risk of reduced pulmonary reserve.
This prospective, randomized clinical study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy and respiratory effects of the ultrasound-guided interscalene block versus the combined interscalene-suprascapular nerve block in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Participants will be assigned to one of the two block techniques prior to surgery. Standardized anesthesia and postoperative care protocols will be applied. Primary outcomes include postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption during the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes include diaphragm excursion measurements, block-related complications, patient satisfaction, and recovery profiles.
The results of this study are expected to contribute to determining whether the combined technique provides comparable or superior analgesia with fewer respiratory side effects, potentially offering a safer alternative to traditional interscalene block for shoulder surgery.
- Conditions
- Shoulder Pain, Artroscopic Surgery, Postoperative Pain
- Being tested
- Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block, Combined Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve Blocks
- Keywords
- Interscalene Block, Suprascapular Nerve Block, Regional Anesthesia, Artroscopic Shoulder Surgery, Postoperative Pain
- Medical subject headings
- Shoulder Pain, Pain, Postoperative
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene BlockProcedure or surgery
An ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block performed at the C5-C6 level using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe. Local anesthetic is injected around the brachial plexus under real-time ultrasound visualization. This technique represents the standard regional anesthesia method for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Combined Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve BlocksProcedure or surgery
A combined regional anesthesia technique consisting of an ultrasound-guided interscalene block performed at the C5-C6 level, followed by an ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block administered at the suprascapular notch. Local anesthetic is injected around both the brachial plexus and the suprascapular nerve under ultrasound guidance. This technique aims to improve postoperative analgesia while potentially reducing phrenic nerve involvement.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Interscalene Block (ISB) | Active comparator | Participants in this arm will receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block. The block will be performed at the level of the C5-C6 nerve roots using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe. A local anesthetic solution will be injected around the brachial plexus under real-time ultrasound visualization. This intervention represents the standard regional anesthesia technique used for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Receives: Procedure: Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block |
| ISB+ Suprascapular Block ( ISB+ SSNB) | Experimental | Participants in this arm will receive a combined regional anesthesia technique consisting of an ultrasound-guided interscalene block followed by an ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block. The interscalene block will be performed at the C5-C6 level using a high-frequency linear probe. The suprascapular nerve block will be administered at the suprascapular notch under ultrasound visualization. Local anesthetic will be injected around both the brachial plexus and the suprascapular nerve. This combined technique is intended to enhance postoperative analgesia while potentially reducing phrenic nerve involvement compared with the interscalene block alone Receives: Procedure: Combined Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve Blocks |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Postoperative Pain Score (VAS 0-24 Hours)
Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using a standard 0-10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Pain scores will be recorded at predefined postoperative time points (e.g., 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours). The primary outcome will be the comparison of cumulative VAS scores between the interscalene block group and the combined interscalene-suprascapular block group during the first 24 postoperative hours.
Measured: 0-24 hours after surgery
Secondary outcomes (1)
Total Postoperative Opioid Consumption (0-24 Hours)
Total postoperative opioid consumption will be recorded during the first 24 hours after surgery. All opioid medications will be converted to intravenous morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for standardized comparison between groups. The cumulative opioid requirement of the interscalene block group will be compared with that of the combined interscalene-suprascapular block group.
Measured: 0-24 hours after surgery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Shoulder PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Asuman Ocaklar
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Asuman Ocaklar, Gaziantep City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07445126
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HRÜ/26.01.72
- Acronym
- ISB vs SSB
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of the Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block Versus Combined Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve Blocks in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07445126
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ISB vs SSB / HRÜ/26.01.72
- Conditions
- Shoulder Pain, Artroscopic Surgery, Postoperative Pain
- Keywords
- Interscalene Block, Suprascapular Nerve Block, Regional Anesthesia, Artroscopic Shoulder Surgery, Postoperative Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Asuman OcaklarUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to compare two commonly used regional anesthesia techniques for shoulder arthroscopy: the ultrasound-guided interscalene block and the combined interscalene-suprascapular nerve block. Both techniques are routinely performed to reduce pain during and after shoulder surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine which method provides better postoperative pain control, reduces the need for pain medication, and causes fewer side effects such as diaphragmatic dysfunction. Participants will receive one of the two nerve block techniques before surgery, and their pain scores, opioid consumption, and respiratory effects will be monitored during the first 24 hours after the operation.
Detailed description
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a commonly performed procedure, and effective perioperative analgesia is essential for improving patient comfort, reducing opioid consumption, and enabling early rehabilitation. The ultrasound-guided interscalene block is considered the standard regional anesthesia technique for shoulder surgery; however, it may cause hemidiaphragmatic paresis due to phrenic nerve involvement. To reduce this risk while maintaining effective analgesia, the combination of interscalene and suprascapular nerve blocks has recently gained attention as a promising alternative.
The suprascapular nerve supplies approximately 70% of sensory innervation to the shoulder joint, and its blockade may enhance postoperative pain control when combined with a low-volume interscalene block. This combined technique has been proposed as a potentially safer option with fewer respiratory side effects, particularly in patients at risk of reduced pulmonary reserve.
This prospective, randomized clinical study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy and respiratory effects of the ultrasound-guided interscalene block versus the combined interscalene-suprascapular nerve block in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Participants will be assigned to one of the two block techniques prior to surgery. Standardized anesthesia and postoperative care protocols will be applied. Primary outcomes include postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption during the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes include diaphragm excursion measurements, block-related complications, patient satisfaction, and recovery profiles.
The results of this study are expected to contribute to determining whether the combined technique provides comparable or superior analgesia with fewer respiratory side effects, potentially offering a safer alternative to traditional interscalene block for shoulder surgery.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Interscalene Block (ISB) | Active comparator | Procedure: Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene BlockParticipants in this arm will receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block. The block will be performed at the level of the C5-C6 nerve roots using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe. A local anesthetic solution will be injected around the brachial plexus under real-time ultrasound visualization. This intervention represents the standard regional anesthesia technique used for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. |
| ISB+ Suprascapular Block ( ISB+ SSNB) | Experimental | Procedure: Combined Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve BlocksParticipants in this arm will receive a combined regional anesthesia technique consisting of an ultrasound-guided interscalene block followed by an ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block. The interscalene block will be performed at the C5-C6 level using a high-frequency linear probe. The suprascapular nerve block will be administered at the suprascapular notch under ultrasound visualization. Local anesthetic will be injected around both the brachial plexus and the suprascapular nerve. This combined technique is intended to enhance postoperative analgesia while potentially reducing phrenic nerve involvement compared with the interscalene block alone |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Planned arthroscopic shoulder surgery ASA physical status I-III Age between 18 and 75 years Ability to provide informed consent Suitable for regional anesthesia with ultrasound guidance
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Allergy or contraindication to local anesthetics Coagulopathy or current anticoagulant therapy Infection at the block injection site Severe pulmonary disease (e.g., severe COPD) Pre-existing neurological deficit in the operative upper limb Body mass index > 40 kg/m² Pregnancy or breastfeeding History of phrenic nerve palsy Inability to cooperate with block procedure or follow-up
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene BlockAn ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block performed at the C5-C6 level using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe. Local anesthetic is injected around the brachial plexus under real-time ultrasound visualization. This technique represents the standard regional anesthesia method for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. | Procedure or surgery | Interscalene Block (ISB) |
| Combined Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve BlocksA combined regional anesthesia technique consisting of an ultrasound-guided interscalene block performed at the C5-C6 level, followed by an ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block administered at the suprascapular notch. Local anesthetic is injected around both the brachial plexus and the suprascapular nerve under ultrasound guidance. This technique aims to improve postoperative analgesia while potentially reducing phrenic nerve involvement. | Procedure or surgery | ISB+ Suprascapular Block ( ISB+ SSNB) |
Primary outcome
Postoperative Pain Score (VAS 0-24 Hours)
Time frame: 0-24 hours after surgery
Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using a standard 0-10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Pain scores will be recorded at predefined postoperative time points (e.g., 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours). The primary outcome will be the comparison of cumulative VAS scores between the interscalene block group and the combined interscalene-suprascapular block group during the first 24 postoperative hours.
1 secondary outcome
Total Postoperative Opioid Consumption (0-24 Hours)
Time frame: 0-24 hours after surgery
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block and Combined Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene and Suprascapular Nerve Blocks in people with Shoulder Pain and Artroscopic Surgery, run by Asuman Ocaklar.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Asuman ocaklar, MD, Anesthesiologist (+90 5442013991, asuman-kcygt@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Postoperative Pain Score (VAS 0-24 Hours) (time frame: 0-24 hours after surgery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Mar 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.