Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect of ultrasound guided brachial plexus combined with deep cervical plexus nerve block in shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Methods A total of 60 cases under shoulder arthroscopic surgery were randomly divided into two groups: general anesthesia group (GA) and nerve block group (NA), with 30 cases in each group. Patients of group GA were given general anesthesia, and patients of group NA were given ultrasound guided brachial plexus block with deep cervical plexus nerve block. Data of the haemodynamics of patients, the time for the first feeding of water after operation, ambulation postoperation, the total cost of anesthesia, the average hospitalization days, the satisfaction of anesthesia in patients and surgeons, the pain scores (VAS) at 2, 4, 8, 12 h postoperation, the proportion of patients that needed additional analgesic drugs and the adverse events in 12 h postoperation were all recorded. Results There were no significant differences in gender, age, body mass index (BMI), operation time, intraoperative systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean arterial pressure, the minimum heart rate, the satisfaction of anesthesia in patients and surgeons, the proportion of postoperative 12 h VAS score ≤ 3 and the need for additional analgesic drugs between two groups of patients (P＞0.05). In group NA, the intraoperative systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean arterial pressure and the maximum heart rate were lower than those in group GA. The time of the first feeding water, and ambulation post operation were shorter in group NA than those of group GA. The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in group NA than that in group GA. The total anesthesia cost and the average hospitalization days were significantly lower in group NA than those of group GA. The proportion of postoperative VAS score ≤ 3 at 2, 4 and 8 h was higher in group NA than that of group GA. The proportion of patients needed additional analgesic drugs was significantly lower in group NA than that of GA group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound-guided brachial plexus combined with deep cervical plexus nerve block is a reliable choice for shoulder arthroscopic surgery, which can promote the rapid rehabilitation of patients.

Key words: anesthesia, general, brachial plexus, cervical plexus, ultrasound guided, nerve block, shoulder arthroscopy