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Postoperative PainSPENG-RCTNCT07762417

SPENG Block Versus Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks for Pain After Shoulder Arthroscopy

A study testing Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) Block and Combined Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks in people with Postoperative Pain and Shoulder Arthroscopy, run by Izmir City Hospital.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This prospective, randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded, single-center non-inferiority trial will compare the analgesic efficacy of the Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) block with combined posterior suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks in adults undergoing elective shoulder arthroscopy under… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
Postoperative Pain, Shoulder Arthroscopy
What is being tested?
Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) Block and Combined Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
60 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
1 Nov 2026to 15 Jun 2027
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 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 18 to 70 years
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
  • Scheduled to undergo elective shoulder arthroscopy under general anesthesia
  • Able to understand the Numeric Rating Scale for pain assessment
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent

Who cannot join

  • Known allergy or hypersensitivity to local anesthetics used in the study
  • Infection at the planned block injection site
  • Coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulant therapy that cannot be appropriately interrupted for peripheral nerve block
  • Pre-existing neurological deficit affecting the operative upper extremity
  • Moderate or severe pulmonary disease
  • Known diaphragmatic dysfunction
Show all 12Show fewer
  • Chronic opioid use
  • Chronic pain syndrome
  • Body mass index greater than 35 kg/m²
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Inability to understand or reliably report Numeric Rating Scale pain scores
  • Inadequate sonographic window preventing safe performance of the allocated block technique before randomization

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Murat KAYKAC, MD contact

+905330258450

drmuratkaykac@gmail.com

About this study

Official title: Analgesic Efficacy of the Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group Block Versus Combined Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks for Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Randomized, Blinded, Non-Inferiority Trial

This prospective, randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded, single-center non-inferiority trial will compare the analgesic efficacy of the Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) block with combined posterior suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks in adults undergoing elective shoulder arthroscopy under general anesthesia. Both groups will receive the same total volume and concentration of local anesthetic. The primary outcome will be the highest resting Numeric Rating Scale pain score recorded during the first 24 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes will include block performance time, sensory block success in suprascapular and axillary nerve territories, opioid consumption, time to rescue analgesia, motor function, diaphragmatic function, postoperative recovery quality, patient satisfaction, and block-related complications.

Being tested
Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) Block, Combined Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks
Keywords
Diaphragm-sparing block, Postoperative analgesia, Regional anesthesia, Axillary nerve block, Suprascapular nerve block, Shoulder arthroscopy, Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group block, SPENG block
Medical subject headings
Pain, Postoperative

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) BlockProcedure or surgery

    Also called SPENG Block

    An ultrasound-guided single-injection posterior pericapsular block. With the participant in the lateral decubitus position and the operative shoulder uppermost, a high-frequency linear ultrasound transducer will be placed transversely immediately inferior to the posterior acromion. After identification of the humeral head, articular cartilage, infraspinatus muscle, and posterior glenoid rim, a block needle will be advanced in-plane in a medial-to-lateral direction. The needle tip will be positioned between the posterior glenoid rim and the deep surface of the infraspinatus muscle, and 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be injected.

  • Combined Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve BlocksProcedure or surgery

    Also called Posterior Shoulder Block

    wo ultrasound-guided nerve blocks will be performed. For the posterior suprascapular nerve block, the suprascapular nerve will be identified in the suprascapular notch region beneath the supraspinatus muscle, and 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be administered. For the axillary nerve block, the posterior humeral circumflex artery will be identified using color Doppler in the quadrilateral space, and 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be administered adjacent to the axillary nerve.

Study groups in NCT07762417
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
SPENG BlockExperimentalParticipants assigned to this group will receive an ultrasound-guided Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) block before general anesthesia for shoulder arthroscopy. A total of 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be administered as a single injection between the posterior glenoid rim and the deep surface of the infraspinatus muscle.
Receives: Procedure: Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) Block
Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve BlocksActive comparatorParticipants assigned to this group will receive ultrasound-guided posterior suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks before general anesthesia for shoulder arthroscopy. A total of 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be administered, consisting of 10 mL for the posterior suprascapular nerve block and 10 mL for the axillary nerve block.
Receives: Procedure: Combined Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Highest Resting Numeric Rating Scale Pain Score During the First 24 Postoperative Hours

    Resting postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). For each participant, the highest resting NRS score recorded during the first 24 postoperative hours will be used as the primary outcome. Scheduled assessments will be performed on arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. Resting NRS scores obtained immediately before rescue analgesic administration outside these scheduled assessments will also be included when determining the highest value.

    Measured: From arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit through 24 hours after surgery

Secondary outcomes (15)
  1. Block Performance Time

    Time required to perform the allocated regional anesthesia technique, measured in seconds from the first contact of the ultrasound transducer with the skin until removal of the block needle after completion of local anesthetic injection.

    Measured: Periprocedural

  2. Proportion of Participants With Complete Dual-Target Sensory Block Success

    Cold sensation will be assessed over the posterior shoulder (suprascapular nerve territory) and lateral deltoid region (axillary nerve territory) using a 3-point scale: 0 = absent sensation, 1 = reduced sensation, and 2 = normal sensation. Suprascapular sensory component success will be defined as a reduction of at least one grade from baseline in the posterior shoulder region. Axillary sensory component success will be defined as a reduction of at least one grade from baseline in the lateral deltoid region. Complete dual-target sensory block success will require successful sensory blockade in both territories in the same participant.

    Measured: 30 minutes after block completion

  3. Cumulative Opioid Consumption During the First 24 Postoperative Hours

    All rescue opioid analgesics administered during the first 24 postoperative hours will be recorded and converted to intravenous morphine-equivalent dose for comparison between groups.

    Measured: From arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit through 24 hours after surgery

  4. Time to First Rescue Analgesic

    Time from completion of the study block to the first administration of rescue analgesic medication for postoperative pain.

    Measured: From block completion through 24 hours after surgery

  5. Resting Numeric Rating Scale Pain Scores

    Resting pain intensity will be assessed using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

    Measured: On arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after surgery

  6. Numeric Rating Scale Pain Scores With Movement

    Pain intensity during standardized shoulder-related movement will be assessed using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), when clinically feasible.

    Measured: On arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after surgery

  7. Anterior Shoulder Numeric Rating Scale Pain Score

    Pain localized predominantly to the anterior shoulder will be rated separately using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale ranging from 0 to 10.

    Measured: At 8, 12, and 24 hours after surgery

  8. Posterior Shoulder Numeric Rating Scale Pain Score

    Pain localized predominantly to the posterior shoulder will be rated separately using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale ranging from 0 to 10.

    Measured: At 8, 12, and 24 hours after surgery

  9. Proportion of Participants With Hemidiaphragmatic Paresis

    Diaphragmatic excursion will be assessed using M-mode ultrasonography. Hemidiaphragmatic paresis will be defined as diaphragmatic excursion 30 minutes after block completion falling to less than 25% of the participant's baseline excursion.

    Measured: 30 minutes after block completion

  10. Change in Diaphragmatic Excursion From Baseline

    Diaphragmatic excursion will be measured using M-mode ultrasonography as the difference in diaphragm position between resting expiration and deep inspiration. Three measurements will be obtained and averaged. Change from baseline will be evaluated after the block.

    Measured: Baseline and 30 minutes after block completion

  11. Shoulder Abduction Motor Strength

    Shoulder abduction strength will be evaluated using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale ranging from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater muscle strength.

    Measured: Baseline, 30 minutes after block completion, and 24 hours after surgery

  12. Proportion of Participants With Rebound Pain

    Rebound pain will be defined as an increase from an NRS pain score of 3 or lower at the preceding assessment to an NRS score of 7 or higher at the subsequent assessment.

    Measured: During the first 24 postoperative hours

  13. Quality of Recovery-15 Score

    Postoperative quality of recovery will be assessed using the 15-item Quality of Recovery questionnaire (QoR-15). The total score ranges from 0 to 150, with higher scores indicating better quality of recovery.

    Measured: 24 hours after surgery

  14. Patient Satisfaction With Perioperative Analgesia

    Overall satisfaction with perioperative analgesia will be rated on an 11-point scale from 0 (completely dissatisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied).

    Measured: 24 hours after surgery

  15. Number of Participants With Block-Related Complications

    Participants will be assessed for block-related adverse events including hematoma, infection, persistent paresthesia, persistent weakness, and other clinically suspected complications.

    Measured: From block performance through postoperative day 7

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted13 Aug 2026
  2. Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion31 May 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion15 Jun 2027 (estimated)

Resources

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
Model description
Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a single-injection Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) block or combined posterior suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks before elective shoulder arthroscopy. Both groups will receive the same total volume, concentration, and dose of local anesthetic.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07762417
Sponsor's protocol ID
SPENG-RCT-2026-01
Acronym
SPENG-RCT
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
9 Aug 2026
Last updated
14 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in the primary publication may be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request to the principal investigator. Data will be shared after publication of the main study results, subject to approval of the proposed use and compliance with applicable ethical and institutional data-protection requirements.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Shoulder Posterior Pericapsular Nerve Group (SPENG) Block and Combined Posterior Suprascapular and Axillary Nerve Blocks in people with Postoperative Pain and Shoulder Arthroscopy, run by Izmir City Hospital.

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 12 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

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 Murat KAYKAC, MD (+905330258450, drmuratkaykac@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Highest Resting Numeric Rating Scale Pain Score During the First 24 Postoperative Hours (time frame: From arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit through 24 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 14 Aug 2026.

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