Blockade of the Suprascapular Nerve: A Radiological and Cadaveric Study Comparing Landmark and Ultrasound-guided Blocking Techniques

Abstract

Background

Blockade of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) is used frequently in shoulder surgery and in chronic shoulder pain. Anatomical landmarks may be used to locate the nerve before infiltration with local anaesthetic, with ultrasound comprising a popular method for locating the nerve.

Methods

Twelve cadaveric shoulders from six specimens were injected with dye using both the landmark and the ultrasound technique. The shoulders were scanned by computed tomography (CT) and then dissected to determine the accuracy of each technique.

Results

Using the CT scan results, we found the ultrasound group to be more accurate with respect to placing the anaesthetic needle close to the suprascapular notch (and therefore nerve), with this being statistically significant (p = 0.021).

Conclusions

The findings of the present study demonstrate that ultrasound-guided block is significantly more accurate than the landmark technique, therefore suggesting that ultrasound guidance be used for blockade of the SSN.