Day case shoulder surgery: satisfactory pain control without regional anaesthesia. A prospective analysis of a perioperative protocol.

Abstract

Pain control is an issue which may limit patients' acceptance of day case shoulder surgery. This study prospectively examined the outcome of a protocol for day case shoulder surgery to determine if satisfactory pain relief could be achieved without regional anaesthesia.

Patients attended for pre-assessment and were informed about the procedure and day case protocol. Anaesthesia used was either a regional anaesthetic block or subacromial bursal block. Patients were discharged with a standard pain pack. All 117 operations were performed arthroscopically. Patients were contacted 24 h following surgery by an independent observer.

Based on 90 completed surveys, all patients were satisfied. Pain was well controlled in 85% of patients but 50% of the remaining patients did not take the prescribed pain pack. Problems other than pain were seen in only 4% of patients. No patients required overnight admission.

Our study indicates a very high level of patient satisfaction and good pain relief without the use of regional anaesthesia for patients undergoing shoulder surgery as a day case.