Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Shoulder Dislocation in the Emergency Department: A Systemic Review.

Background: Shoulder dislocations are among the most common orthopedic emergencies encountered in the emergency department (ED). Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks (USG-PNBs) are increasingly being used for acute pain management in the ED, but clinical evidence supporting their utility for shoulder dislocation is limited and often conflicting.

Objective: The aim of this review was to summarize and evaluate the utility of USG-PNB for analgesia during closed reduction of dislocated shoulders in the ED.

Methods: Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic literature search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was performed from database inception to September 2022. We included clinical studies examining USG-PNB for pain management of dislocated shoulders in the ED. Information collected from eligible studies included patient demographic characteristics, USG-PNB approach, alternate analgesia techniques, anesthetic regimens, clinical outcomes, and adverse events.

Results: Five studies met inclusion criteria, all of which were randomized controlled trials comparing USG-PNB with procedural sedation and analgesia. Pooled patient satisfaction scores were similar for both analgesia methods (3.5 ± 0.6 vs. 3.9 ± 0.6 out of 5; p = 0.76). Patients managed with procedural sedation and analgesia achieved higher rates of overall shoulder reduction (100% vs. 67%; p < 0.001) and successful reduction on the first attempt (86% vs. 48%; p < 0.001). The USG-PNB groups in all but one study had shorter lengths of ED stay. Overall, USG-PNB was associated with a lower risk of adverse events and complications (3.9% vs. 24.9%; p < 0.001), especially adverse respiratory events (0% vs. 14.7%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: USG-PNBs performed by adequately trained emergency physicians should be considered a safe and effective alternative for analgesia during closed reduction of dislocated shoulders in the ED, particularly in patients with cardiorespiratory comorbidities.