Comparing liposomal bupivacaine plus bupivacaine to bupivacaine alone in interscalene blocks for rotator cuff repair surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Single-injection interscalene brachial plexus blocks are used for analgesia for rotator cuff repair (RCR) but have limited duration. The value of adding liposomal bupivacaine (LB) to prolong single-injection interscalene blocks is unclear. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the addition of LB to regular bupivacaine interscalene blocks for patients undergoing arthroscopic RCR. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized trial, 70 patients undergoing primary RCR with equal group allocation were randomized by random number generator to receive an interscalene block with 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine or 10 mL 0.5% bupivacaine plus 133 mg LB. The primary outcome was cumulative opioid consumption within 72 hours of the procedure. Secondary outcomes included maximum pain scores and quality of recovery 15 survey scores. RESULTS: 70 of the 80 randomized patients were included in final analysis following exclusion for protocol violations and loss to follow-up. Cumulative opioid consumption (oral morphine equivalents) within 72 hours in patients receiving LB was a median (IQR) of 31.9 mg (0, 73.1) compared with 45.0 mg (15.0, 108.8) among patients receiving bupivacaine alone (p=0.312). Patients receiving LB demonstrated mixed results regarding worst pain scores with improvements at 24 hours and 72 hours, but not 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: LB added to bupivacaine interscalene blocks does not reduce opioid consumption within 72 hours following arthroscopic RCR. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03587584.

Communication breakdown: clinicians disagree on subacromial impingement.

"Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS)" is often used as a diagnostic label, but has become more controversial as such in the literature. We assessed views on SIS in clinical practice using a survey with 63 0-10 VAS items among orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists from the United States and the Netherlands. Multivariate regression and cluster analyses were applied to identify consensus items and to study profession and/or nationality effects on item ratings. Most items received neutral or highly variable ratings. Twenty-nine were considered associated with SIS, including worsening of pain with overhead activities, painful arc and a positive Neer's test. Seven items were regarded pleading against SIS, including loss of passive motion. Activity modifications and physical therapy are the most important treatments according to therapists, who highly valued motion-related etiologic mechanisms. Surgeons, with higher ratings for intrinsic and anatomic etiologies, appreciated the use of subacromial corticosteroids and surgery. Clinicians from different professional backgrounds have different views on what SIS is, and even within professional groups, variations are substantial. This has to be taken into account when communicating about SIS symptoms, for example, in intercollegial consultation or scientific research. The authors suggest cautious use of (subacromial) impingement syndrome as a diagnostic label.