Reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation under a narcotic saves more service time in an emergency room than combined narcotic and sedation.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the post-reduction service time between using a narcotic and combination of a narcotic with sedative drugs for reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation. Methods: Between 2004-2010, medical records and radiographs of patients who sustained acute anterior shoulder dislocation and obtained the successful reduction under sedation were reviewed. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1, reduction was done under either intravenous morphine or pethidine and group 2, under either intravenous morphine or pethidine combined with diazepam. Post-reduction service times were recorded. The statistically significant difference was considered at p ≤ 0.05. Results: 42 patients were divided to 2 groups (21 patients in each group). The mean post-reduction service time of group 1 was 62.10 (SD = 31.42) and group 2 was 87.57 (SD = 32.07) minutes. The statistical analysis showed that group 1 significantly spent 25.47 minutes less post-reduction service time than group 2 (p = 0.013). Conclusion: Reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation under a narcotic significantly uses shorter post-reduction service time than under a combination of a narcotic with sedative drug in the emergency room.