Pectoserratus plane block versus erector spinae plane block for postoperative opioid consumption and acute and chronic pain after breast cancer surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block enhances postoperative analgesia and recovery in thoracoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND

The serratus anterior muscle, located in the lateral aspect of the thorax, plays a crucial role in shoulder movement and stability. Thoracoscopic surgery, while minimally invasive, often results in significant postoperative pain, complicating patient recovery and potentially extending hospital stays. Traditional anesthesia methods may not adequately address this pain, leading to increased complications such as agitation due to inadequate pain management.

AIM

To evaluate the application value of ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery, focusing on its effects on postoperative analgesia and rehabilitation.

METHODS

Eighty patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery between August 2021 and December 2022 were randomly divided into two groups: An observation group receiving ultrasound-guided SAPB and a control group receiving standard care without SAPB. Both groups underwent general anesthesia and were monitored for blood pressure, heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, and pulse. The primary outcomes measured included mean arterial pressure (MAP), HR, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, supplemental analgesic use, and incidence of agitation.

RESULTS

The observation group showed significantly lower cortisol and glucose concentrations at various time points post-operation compared to the control group, indicating reduced stress responses. Moreover, MAP and HR levels were lower in the observation group during and after surgery. VAS scores were significantly lower in the observation group at 1 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 12 h post-surgery, and the rates of analgesic supplementation and agitation were significantly reduced compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided SAPB significantly improves postoperative analgesia and reduces agitation in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. This technique stabilizes perioperative vital signs, decreases the need for supplemental analgesics, and minimizes postoperative pain and stress responses, underscoring its high application value in enhancing patient recovery and rehabilitation post-thoracoscopy.

Prevention of Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome: A Review of Recent Literature on Perioperative Interventions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Up to 60% of breast cancer patients continue to experience pain three months or more after surgery, with 15 to 25% reporting moderate to severe pain. Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) places a high burden on patients. We reviewed recent studies on perioperative interventions to prevent PMPS incidence and severity.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies on pharmacologic and regional anesthetic interventions were reviewed. Only nine of the twenty-three studies included reported a significant improvement in PMPS incidence and/or severity, sometimes with mixed results for similar interventions. Evidence for prevention of PMPS is mixed. Further investigation of impact of variations in dosing is warranted. In addition, promising newer interventions for prevention of PMPS such as cryoneurolysis of intercostal nerves and stellate ganglion block need confirmatory studies.

An Intraoperative Sub-Anesthetic Dose of Esketamine on Postoperative Depressive Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy: Protocol for a Randomized, Triple-Blinded, Controlled Trial

Background

Depressive symptoms are common among perimenopausal women with breast cancer having modified radical mastectomy. Esketamine exerts antidepressant effects. This study aims to assess whether an intraoperative sub-anesthetic dose of esketamine prevents postoperative depressive symptoms in these patients.

Methods

In this randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, we will enroll 130 perimenopausal women (aged 45-60 years) with breast cancer undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy. Patients will be randomly assigned with a 1:1 ratio to receive either esketamine (0.25 mg/kg i.v.) or normal saline after anesthesia induction and before skin incision. The primary outcome is the incidence of depressive symptoms at day 30 postoperatively, assessed using the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). Secondary outcomes include incidence of depressive symptoms and BDI scores at day 1, 3, and 180 postoperatively, anxiety symptoms and scores at day 1, 3, 30, and 180 postoperatively, pain intensity and quality of recovery at day 1 and 2 postoperatively, nausea and vomiting within 48 hours postoperatively, length of postoperative hospital stay, and cancer-specific outcomes. Data will be analyzed in the modified intention-to-treat population.

Discussion

This is the first trial to evaluate the effects of a sub-anesthetic dose of esketamine on depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women after modified radical mastectomy. The results of this study will help to improve their mental health and recovery after breast cancer surgery.

Trial Registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200064348).

Application of an ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block after the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum in children: a retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching

Objective

To retrospectively analyze the effect of applying an ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spine plane block (ESPB) after the Nuss procedure for surgical repair of pectus excavatum (PE) in children.

Methods

The subjects of the study were patients with severe PE who received the Nuss procedure in our hospital between 1 January 2019 and 30 November 2021. According to different methods for postoperative pain management, the enrolled patients were divided into two groups, the ultrasound-guided ESPB group and the thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) group. The primary outcome of this study was analgesic drug dosage and the secondary outcome was numerical rating scales (NRSs) between the two groups.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic, preoperative clinical evaluation, or surgical characteristics (P > 0.05). The catheter duration in the TEA group was significantly shorter than that in the ESPB group (P < 0.05), while the hospitalization time in the ESPB group was significantly shorter than that in the TEA group (P < 0.05). In terms of oral morphine equivalent comparison, the required dose of the TEA group was lower than that of the ESPB group on the 1st and 2nd day after the operation (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference between the two groups on the 3rd and 4th day after the operation (P > 0.05). The number of patients with an S-NRS ≥ 7 and D-NRS ≥ 7 in the TEA group at day 1 was lower than that in the ESPB group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups at other time points (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

An ultrasound-guided ESPB used in Nuss surgery for children with funnel chest can provide good analgesia for surgery and shorten the postoperative rehabilitation and hospitalization time of patients. It is a safe and effective alternative to TEA.

Sciatic Nerve Block Combined with Flurbiprofen Inhibits Spinal Cord Inflammation and Improves Postoperative Pain in Rats with Plantar Incision

Background and Purpose

Peripheral nerve block is often used to relieve postoperative pain. But the effect of nerve block on inflammatory response is not fully understood. Spinal cord is the primary center of pain processing. This study is to investigate the effect of single sciatic nerve block on the inflammatory response of the spinal cord in rats with plantar incision and the combined effect with flurbiprofen.

Methods

The plantar incision was used to establish a postoperative pain model. Single sciatic nerve block, intravenous flurbiprofen or the combination of both were used for intervention. The sensory and motor functions after nerve block and incision were evaluated. The changes of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, microglia and astrocytes in the spinal cord were examined by qPCR and immunofluorescence respectively.

Results

Sciatic nerve block with 0.5% ropivacaine in rats induced sensory block for 2h and motor block for 1.5h. In the rats with plantar incision, the single sciatic nerve block did not alleviate postoperative pain or inhibit the activation of spinal microglia and astrocytes, but the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in spinal cord were decreased when the nerve block wore off. The combined effect of a single sciatic nerve block and intravenous flurbiprofen not only decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, but also relieved the pain and alleviated the activation of microglia and astrocytes.

Conclusion

The single sciatic nerve block cannot improve postoperative pain or inhibit the activation of spinal cord glial cells, but can reduce the expression of spinal inflammatory factors. Nerve block combined with flurbiprofen can inhibit spinal cord inflammation and improve postoperative pain. This study provides a reference for rational clinical application of nerve block.