Pectoralis-II Myofascial Block and Analgesia in Breast Cancer Surgery

Parasternal Intercostal Block Complementation Contributes to Postoperative Pain Relief in Modified Radical Mastectomy Employing Pectoral Nerve Block I and Serratus-Intercostal Block: A Randomized Trial

Purpose

Pectoral nerve block I (PECS I) and serratus-intercostal plane block (SIPB) can anesthetize the majority mammary region, while parasternal intercostal block (PSI) targets the internal area during breast resection surgery. The aim of this study was to determine whether including PSI with PECS I and SIPB is more effective compared to PECS I and SIPB alone.

Patients and Methods

Sixty-two adult females undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy (MRM) were randomly assigned to receive either PECS I and SIPB (PS group, n=31) or a combination of PECS I, SIPB, and PSI (PSP group, n=31). The outcomes were measured with a numerical rating scale (NRS) score, and in terms of opioid consumption and anesthesia-related complications within 48 h after surgery.

Results

Although there were no differences in the NRS scores between the two groups during the inactive periods, the combination of three nerve blocks significantly reduced the NRS scores during movement. In addition, morphine equivalent consumption was lower in the PSP group compared to the PS group. Postoperative adverse events were similar in both groups in terms of regional anesthesia-related complications.

Conclusion

The combination of PECS I block, SIPB, and PSI block provides superior pain relief and postoperative recovery for patients undergoing MRM.

The serratus plane block for postoperative analgesia in breast and thoracic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The serratus plane block (SPB) is a novel chest wall interfascial plane block. Its analgesic efficacy compared with non-block care and paravertebral block (PVB) is unestablished.

METHODS

We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) recruiting adult surgical patients that compared a SPB to non-block care or PVB for postoperative analgesia. Visual analog scale pain scores were the primary outcome. Database sources were Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar searched up to July 29, 2019 without language restriction. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane methodology.

RESULTS

Nineteen RCTs that comprised 1260 patients were included. Six trials involved thoracic surgery patients and 13 studied breast surgery patients. SPB reduced pain scores 0 hour postoperatively (-1.62 cm; 99% CI -2.43 to -0.81; p<0.001; I2=92%), at 2-4 hours (-1.29 cm; 99% CI -2.08 to -0.49; p<0.001; I2=92%), at 6 hours (-1.69 cm; 99% CI -3.19 to -0.20; p=0.004; I2=99%), and up to 24 hours compared with non-block care. SPB also prolonged the time to first analgesic request (193.2 min; 95% CI 7.2 to 379.2 min; p=0.04; I2=99%), reduced 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption (-11.27 mg of IV morphine equivalent; -17.36 to -5.18 mg; p<0.001), and reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting (RR 0.51; 95% CI 0.38 to 0.68; p<0.001; I2=12%). In contrast, no meaningful differences were detected in any of the outcomes for the SPB versus PVB data.

CONCLUSIONS

SPB reduced postoperative pain scores (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation rating: low; due to heterogeneity and deficiencies in blinding) in breast and thoracic surgery patients compared with non-block care. Based on five trials only, SPB was not appreciably different from PVB.