Orthopedics and Regional Anesthesia: An Outpatient Total Shoulder Replacement Pathway

Key Points

• A multidisciplinary group convened to create a standardized protocol for outpatient total shoulder replacement based on available evidence.

• The use of regional anesthesia and analgesia provides superior postoperative analgesia for total shoulder replacement (TSR) compared with general anesthesia and systemic opioids.

• By standardizing preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management, we aimed for a reduction in variability in clinical care with an initial goal of 60% to 80% pathway utilization compliance.

• Preliminary results indicate that outpatient TSR in selected patients and with an experienced team is not only feasible but also can be performed successfully with minimal adverse events.