Background and aims An estimated 460,000 rotator cuff surgeries are performed in the United States annually.¹ We commonly perform these ambulatory arthroscopic shoulder surgeries (AASS) using a combination of an Interscalene block and superficial cervical plexus block under monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Our objective was to investigate how a change in anesthesia practice for AASS has impacted on the duration of PACU stay, and the ability to ‘fast-track’ patients to Phase II recovery, directly from the operating room.

Methods A 6-year retrospective electronic chart review was performed (OHSN-REB ethical approval) including all AASS at the Riverside Campus, the Ottawa Hospital from 01 January 2012 to 31 December 2107. Data were collected on type of anesthesia; general anesthesia (GA), GA and peripheral nerve block (PNB) or MAC and PNB, Phase I recovery duration (PACU) and the number of direct admissions to Phase II recovery.

Results 882 AASSs were performed in total from 2012 to 2017 (figure 1). the number of surgeries performed under MAC and PNB increased each year from 4 in 2012 to 195 in 2017. the direct admission rate to Phase II recovery increased from 0 in 2012 to 85 in 2017 (figure 2). the Phase I recovery (PACU) duration decreased from 72 minutes in 2012 to 41 minutes in 2017 (figure 3).

Conclusions This retrospective data collected, demonstrated how a change in anesthesia practice from GA and PNB to MAC and PNB reduced Phase I recovery duration and increased direct admission rate to Phase II recovery.