Patient-controlled analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: subacromial catheter versus intravenous injection

40 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears, undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery, were divided into two groups to examine the postoperative effects of subacromial infusion versus intravenous injection of analgesic. Patients were randomized to either receive subacromial infusion of 0.5% bupivacaine or intravenous injection of fentanyl and ketorolac tromethamine. Results according to patient VAS scores showed that both methods of postoperative analgesia were equally effective in pain management.