Meta-Analysishigh evidence
Incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis in superior trunk versus interscalene block upper limb surgeries: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis.
Anesthesia and pain medicine·May 13, 2026·PMID 42130052
Why it mattersInterscalene block is highly effective but carries near-universal risk of phrenic nerve palsy, limiting its use in patients with respiratory compromise. This analysis confirms STB as a phrenic-sparing alternative with comparable analgesia, directly informing safer regional anesthesia choices.
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