Effect of brachial plexus block on the incidence of arterial hypotension and bradycardia events during shoulder arthroscopy in adolescents

Background. The role and significance of the technical aspects of interscalene brachial plexus block in the occurrence of sudden arterial hypotension and bradycardia events during shoulder arthroscopy in a semi-sitting position are ambiguous. Aim. The study aimed to assess the effect of interscalene brachial plexus block on the incidence of hypotension-bradycardia events during shoulder arthroscopic surgery in adolescents in a semi-sitting position. Materials and methods. This retrospective analysis of anesthesia protocols included 288 patients who underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in a semi-sitting position under the interscalene brachial plexus block. Regional blockades were performed with neurostimulation in Group 1 ( n = 23), neurostimulation and ultrasound navigation without repositioning the needle in Group 2 ( n = 70), and neurostimulation and ultrasound navigation with multiple precision repositioning the needle in Group 3 ( n = 195). Results. Hypotension-bradycardia events were detected in 26 patients out of 288 (9%). There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of hypotension-bradycardia in all groups: 10 (43.48%) in Group 1, 15 (21.43%) in Group 2, and 1 (0.51%) in Group 3 ( p = 0.000). A direct correlation between hypotension-bradycardia episodes and local anesthetic volume ( r = 0.405; p < 0.05), and Horner’s syndrome ( r = 0.684, p < 0.05) was found. Conclusions. Interscalene brachial plexus block with a target delivery of low volume of local anesthetic and dual navigation reduces the risk of hypotension-bradycardia. Horner’s syndrome can be considered an early predictor of hypotension-bradycardia events.