Episode 22: Rate of occurrence of respiratory complications in patients who undergo shoulder arthroplasty with a continuous interscalene brachial plexus block and associated risk factors‪.‬ RAPM Focus

RAPM Editor-in-Chief Brian Sites, MD, joins Lei Xu, MD, and Ed Mariano, MD, MAS, FASA, FASRA, twocoauthors of “Rate of occurrence of respiratory complications in patients who undergo shoulderarthroplasty with a continuous interscalene brachial plexus block and associated risk factors,” firstpublished in May 2023.Dr. Xu is a clinical assistant professor in the department of anesthesiology at Stanford. She received hermedical degree from Stanford before completing her residency in anesthesiology at the University ofCalifornia San Francisco, and then a fellowship in regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine atStanford. She is interested in the application of regional anesthesia outside the operating room. Herresearch interests include studying the functional outcomes of clinical pathways that include regionalanesthesia in the primary arthroplasty in acute trauma populations.Dr. Mariano is a professor and senior vice chair in the department of anesthesiology at Stanford. He hasdeveloped techniques and patient care pathways to improve post-operative pain, patient safety, andother outcomes, and has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles. He has held leadership positions inthe California Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society ofRegional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and multiple journal editorial boards.In their retrospective observational study, over 1,000 patients were evaluated undergoing total shoulderreplacement with a continuous interscalene block. Respiratory complications were categorized into fourgroups: none, mild, moderate, and severe. Interscalene blocks are important to the success of thesesurgeries, but there remain concerns about respiratory morbidity.*The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does notconstitute medical advice, and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcarepractitioner’s judgement, patient care, or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those ofthe speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on thispodcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. Bylistening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medicaltreatment or for the medical treatment of others.Podcast and music produced by Dan Langa. Find us on Twitter @RAPMOnline.#interscalenebrachialplexusblock#interscaleneblock#respiratorymorbidity#respiratorycomplications#arthoplasty#shoulderarthoplasty
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