Efficacy of Augmenting a Sub-acromial Continuous-Infusion Pump With a Preoperative Inter-scalene Block in Outpatient Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Study

61 patients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomized to receive either an inter-scalene brachial plexus block (ropivacaine) and standard postoperative management, or a placebo with standard postoperative management. The results of the study indicate that the effects of the ropivacaine lasted only the first 6 hours after discharge. Patients were treated as outpatients and left 2-4 hours postoperatively. Time was considered 0 hours at discharge.