Optimal Effective Local Anesthetic Volume for Pain Relief Using Brachial Plexus Block

Optimal Effective Local Anesthetic Volume for Pain Relief Using Brachial Plexus Block Utilizing Continuous Reassessment Method for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Shoulder Surgery

Prospective, patient-blinded study utilizing a novel Continuous Reassessment Method that concomitantly considers both block success and block side effects (lung dysfunction) for brachial plexus nerve blocks.

Success or failure of the brachial plexus block for any given volume will be determined by the verbal analogue pain scale score obtained 60 minutes after surgical end time. Volumes will be determined by continuous reassessment method.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Surgical candidate for Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery
• ASA I-III
• BMI<40
• Age >18

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to give informed consent
• Inability to complete consent process in English
• allergy to ropivacaine
• neuropathy
• contraindications to peripheral nerve block per ASRA guidelines
• chronic opioid use
• infection at the injection/catheter site
• limb restriction due to medical history
• history of moderate - severe lung disease.