Liposomal Bupivacaine vs Dexamethasone ISB

Prolonging the Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block by Adding Liposomal Bupivacaine or Preservative Free Dexamethasone to Bupivacaine: a Non-inferiority Trial

In this study, patients receiving shoulder arthroscopy will receive an interscalene block for pain management containing either liposomal bupivacaine and standard bupivacaine or standard bupivacaine and dexamethasone. Patients will be followed up with to determine postoperative pain and block duration.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ASA I-III
• Age 18 years or older
• Scheduled for elective outpatient arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of allergy to local anesthetic, or one of the study medications
• Pre-existing neurological deficits
• Psychiatric or cognitive disorders that prohibit patients from following study protocol
• History of drug or alcohol abuse
• Chronic opioid use (longer than 3 months)
• Chronic pain syndromes
• Infection at the site of injection
• Patients with severe pulmonary disease
• Herniated cervical disc, cervical myelopathy
• Contraindication for general anesthesia and/or interscalene nerve block
• Pregnancy
• Open shoulder arthrotomies.
• Non English speakers