Peripheral Nerve BlockNCT07739303
Anterior Suprascapular and Axillary vs. Interscalene Block for Analgesia and Diaphragmatic Function in Shoulder Surgery
A study testing Interscalene Block and Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular Blocks in people with Peripheral Nerve Block and Pain Management, run by Ankara Etlik City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Shoulder surgeries are among the most frequently performed orthopedic interventions and are often associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. In these procedures, effective pain management is crucial for early rehabilitation and patient comfort. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Peripheral Nerve Block, Pain Management, Diaphragm Protective Block
- What is being tested?
- Interscalene Block and Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular Blocks
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 70 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 6 Aug 2026to 28 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 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients aged between 18 and 65 years
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I, II, or III
- Patients scheduled to undergo elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery
- BMI between 18 and 30 kg/m2
- Ability to provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to local anesthetics
- Presence of localized infection at the planned injection site
- Severe coagulopathy or active use of anticoagulant medications
- Contralateral phrenic nerve palsy or a diagnosis of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- History of chronic opioid consumption or neuropathic pain
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Ankara Etlik City Hospital
Yenimahalle, Ankara, 06170
İbrahim Topcu, +905437860316, ibrahimtpc78@gmail.com
Musa Zengin, +905307716235, musazengin@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Comparison of Anterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Block Versus Interscalene Block for Postoperative Analgesia and Diaphragmatic Function in Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Shoulder surgeries are among the most frequently performed orthopedic interventions and are often associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. In these procedures, effective pain management is crucial for early rehabilitation and patient comfort.
Peripheral nerve blockade is widely used for postoperative analgesia in shoulder surgery. While the interscalene brachial plexus block is considered the gold standard for pain control, it is frequently associated with unintended phrenic nerve blockade, leading to hemidiaphragmatic paresis. To minimize respiratory complications while maintaining effective analgesia, alternative diaphragm-sparing regional anesthesia techniques, such as the combination of suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks, have been introduced.
The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy and respiratory functions preservation of the ultrasound-guided anterior approach suprascapular combined with axillary nerve block versus interscalene block in patients undergoing shoulder surgery
- Conditions
- Peripheral Nerve Block, Pain Management, Diaphragm Protective Block, Upper Extremity, Interscalene Block
- Being tested
- Interscalene Block, Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular Blocks
- Keywords
- Shoulder Arthroscopy, Interscalene Block, Anterior Suprascapular Block, Axillary Block, Pain Management
- Medical subject headings
- Agnosia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Interscalene BlockProcedure or surgery
Interscalene block will be performed on the patients using 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance.
Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular BlocksProcedure or surgery
Combined anterior suprascapular(5 ml) and axillary nerve blocks(5 ml) will be performed on the patients using a total of 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Interscalene Block | Active comparator | After the patients are placed under monitoring and positioned supine, and appropriate field sterilization is achieved, the ultrasound probe will be positioned transversely at the level of the cricoid cartilage (C6) with the head turned to the contralateral side. Advancing the needle laterally into the interscalene groove between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, 10 mL of local anesthetic (%0.5 bupivacaine ) will be injected between the C5 and C6 nerve roots. Receives: Procedure: Interscalene Block |
| Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular Blocks | Active comparator | After the patients are placed under monitoring and positioned supine, and appropriate field sterilization is achieved, the ultrasound probe will be positioned transversely in the supraclavicular fossa with the head turned to the contralateral side. Advancing the needle in-plane, 5 mL of local anesthetic (%0.5 bupivacaine) will be injected around the suprascapular nerve as it branches anteriorly from the superior trunk of the brachial plexus. Subsequently, for the axillary nerve block, the patient will be positioned laterally and the ultrasound probe will be placed longitudinally over the posterior aspect of the shoulder. Advancing the needle into the quadrangular space, 5 mL of local anesthetic (%0.5 bupivacaine) will be injected around the axillary nerve adjacent to the posterior circumflex humeral artery. Receives: Procedure: Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular Blocks |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Postoperative Pain Intensity at Rest
Pain will be assessed using a visual analog scale from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst pain) at rest. Pain assessment at rest will be made at 4 hours after surgery.
Measured: 4 hours after surgery.
Secondary outcomes (8)
Postoperative Pain Intensity at Rest
Pain will be assessed using a visual analog scale from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst pain) at rest. Pain assessment at rest will be made at 1, 8, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.
Measured: Up to 24 hours
Postoperative Pain Intensity at Movement
Pain will be assessed using a visual analog scale from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst pain) at movement. Pain assessment at rest will be made at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.
Measured: Up to 24 hours
Total Postoperative Opioid Consumption
The total amount of opioid consumed by the patient will be recorded.
Measured: Up to 24 hours
Area Under Curve
Cumulative 24-hour pain burden calculated by the trapezoidal rule
Measured: At the 24th hour
Diaphragmatic Excursion
Diaphragmatic excursion will be measured in centimeters (cm) using M-mode ultrasonography during normal breathing and deep breathing (sniff test).
Measured: Baseline (immediately before block performance) and 30 minutes after block performance
Forced vital capacity (FVC) (volume)
Forced vital capacity (FVC) (volume) will be evaluated during the perioperative period. Measurements will be performed before block administration (baseline), at 30 minutes after the block, and at postoperative 1 and 24 hours.
Measured: Perioperative period
Forced expiratory flow in 1 s (FEV1) (volume)
Forced expiratory flow in 1 s (FEV1) (volume) will be evaluated during the perioperative period. Measurements will be performed before block administration (baseline), at 30 minutes after the block, and at postoperative 1 and 24 hours.
Measured: Perioperative period
FEV1/FVC
FEV1/FVC will be evaluated during the perioperative period. Measurements will be performed before block administration (baseline), at 30 minutes after the block, and at postoperative 1 and 24 hours.
Measured: Perioperative period
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Jul 2026
- Study start6 Aug 2026
- Primary completion14 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion28 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Peripheral Nerve BlockStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ankara Etlik City HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Etlik City Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, İbrahim Topcu, Ankara Etlik City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07739303
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AEŞH-EK-2026-142
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Anterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Block Versus Interscalene Block for Postoperative Analgesia and Diaphragmatic Function in Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07739303
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AEŞH-EK-2026-142
- Conditions
- Peripheral Nerve Block, Pain Management, Diaphragm Protective Block, Upper Extremity, Interscalene Block
- Keywords
- Shoulder Arthroscopy, Interscalene Block, Anterior Suprascapular Block, Axillary Block, Pain Management
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Etlik City HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 6 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 14 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 28 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 31 Jul 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.
Shoulder surgeries are among the most frequently performed orthopedic interventions and are often associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. In these procedures, effective pain management is crucial for early rehabilitation and patient comfort.
Peripheral nerve blockade is widely used for postoperative analgesia in shoulder surgery. While the interscalene brachial plexus block is considered the gold standard for pain control, it is frequently associated with unintended phrenic nerve blockade, leading to hemidiaphragmatic paresis. To minimize respiratory complications while maintaining effective analgesia, alternative diaphragm-sparing regional anesthesia techniques, such as the combination of suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks, have been introduced.
The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy and respiratory functions preservation of the ultrasound-guided anterior approach suprascapular combined with axillary nerve block versus interscalene block in patients undergoing shoulder surgery
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Interscalene Block | Active comparator | Procedure: Interscalene BlockAfter the patients are placed under monitoring and positioned supine, and appropriate field sterilization is achieved, the ultrasound probe will be positioned transversely at the level of the cricoid cartilage (C6) with the head turned to the contralateral side. Advancing the needle laterally into the interscalene groove between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, 10 mL of local anesthetic (%0.5 bupivacaine ) will be injected between the C5 and C6 nerve roots. |
| Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular Blocks | Active comparator | Procedure: Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular BlocksAfter the patients are placed under monitoring and positioned supine, and appropriate field sterilization is achieved, the ultrasound probe will be positioned transversely in the supraclavicular fossa with the head turned to the contralateral side. Advancing the needle in-plane, 5 mL of local anesthetic (%0.5 bupivacaine) will be injected around the suprascapular nerve as it branches anteriorly from the superior trunk of the brachial plexus. Subsequently, for the axillary nerve block, the patient will be positioned laterally and the ultrasound probe will be placed longitudinally over the posterior aspect of the shoulder. Advancing the needle into the quadrangular space, 5 mL of local anesthetic (%0.5 bupivacaine) will be injected around the axillary nerve adjacent to the posterior circumflex humeral artery. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Patients aged between 18 and 65 years
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I, II, or III
- Patients scheduled to undergo elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery
- BMI between 18 and 30 kg/m2
- Ability to provide written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to local anesthetics
- Presence of localized infection at the planned injection site
- Severe coagulopathy or active use of anticoagulant medications
- Contralateral phrenic nerve palsy or a diagnosis of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- History of chronic opioid consumption or neuropathic pain
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Interscalene BlockInterscalene block will be performed on the patients using 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance. | Procedure or surgery | Interscalene Block |
| Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular BlocksCombined anterior suprascapular(5 ml) and axillary nerve blocks(5 ml) will be performed on the patients using a total of 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance. | Procedure or surgery | Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular Blocks |
Primary outcome
Postoperative Pain Intensity at Rest
Time frame: 4 hours after surgery.
Pain will be assessed using a visual analog scale from 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst pain) at rest. Pain assessment at rest will be made at 4 hours after surgery.
8 secondary outcomes
Postoperative Pain Intensity at Rest
Time frame: Up to 24 hours
Postoperative Pain Intensity at Movement
Time frame: Up to 24 hours
Total Postoperative Opioid Consumption
Time frame: Up to 24 hours
Area Under Curve
Time frame: At the 24th hour
Diaphragmatic Excursion
Time frame: Baseline (immediately before block performance) and 30 minutes after block performance
Forced vital capacity (FVC) (volume)
Time frame: Perioperative period
Forced expiratory flow in 1 s (FEV1) (volume)
Time frame: Perioperative period
FEV1/FVC
Time frame: Perioperative period
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 7 Aug 2026.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Interscalene Block and Combination of Axillary and Anterior Suprascapular Blocks in people with Peripheral Nerve Block and Pain Management, run by Ankara Etlik City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 5 inclusion and 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
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 İbrahim Topcu (+905437860316, ibrahimtpc78@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Postoperative Pain Intensity at Rest (time frame: 4 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 7 Aug 2026.