Does the Serratus Plane Block Added to the Interscalene Block Improve the Quality of Anesthesia in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery? A Prospective Randomized Study

Background: Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) is the gold standard method in shoulder surgery. Serratus plane block (SPB) provides anesthesia in hemithorax, axillary region, and posterior of the shoulder. This randomized controlled study evaluated the effect of SPB added to ISBPB on surgical anesthesia quality in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomly assigned to two groups. All surgeries were performed under regional anesthesia. The Group I (Group Interscalene) (n=30) received ultrasound-guided interscalene block. In the Group IS (Group Interscalene + Serratus) (n=30), ultrasound-guided interscalene block and SPB were performed. Intraoperative anesthetic agent consumption, postoperative opioid consumption, postoperative pain scores, patient satisfaction, and surgeon satisfaction were evaluated. Results: Intraoperative propofol (60.00 ± 45.49 vs. 24.00 ± 32.97, respectively) and fentanyl (33.33 ± 23.97 vs. 18.33 ± 24.51, respectively) consumption were significantly higher in Group I than in Group IS (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups at any of the times the postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores were evaluated (p > 0.05). Conclusions: SPB added to the ISBPB increases the quality of surgical anesthesia and reduces the need for intraoperative sedoanalgesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.