An illicit-substance-using patient undergoing arthroscopic shoulder reconstruction with continuous interscalene brachial plexus blockade as primary anesthetic technique and dexmedetomidine as sedating agent

ABSTRACT

This is the case of a 22-year-old male student actively involved in mixed martial arts (MMA) with a history od recurrent dislocation of both shoulder joints since he was 16 years old; most recent of which is twisting of his right shoulder one month prior to admission. Personal history revealed two years regular use of illicit substances such as marijuana and methamphetamine as well as the non-medical use of oral diazepam and intramuscular meperidine. He subsequently underwent arthroscopic right shoulder reconstruction in the beach chair position under continuous interscalene brachail plexus block with dexmedetomidine infusion for sedation.