Anesthetic management of bilateral partial shoulder replacement - An uncommon case

Bilateral partial shoulder replacement (PSR) is a rare rather uncommon entity. It is used when glenoid socket is intact and does not need to be replaced. In these operations, humoral component is implanted and humoral head is replaced. Only ball of shoulder joint replaced. There is no need of plastic socket. The advantage is that it has smaller incision than total shoulder replacement. In this case, a 45-year-old female who fainted because of poor nutrition and was lifted up with relatives by shoulder causing bilateral fracture of humoral head was selected. She needed bilateral urgent PSR. By and large, expertise is required in shoulder joint replacement. We planned anesthesia with interscalene brachial block with clonidine as additive on one side and general anesthesia for other side. Other side was supplemented with continuous catheter technique for post-operative pain relief and good physiotherapy.