Ultrasound guided nerve block for breast surgery

Continuous Pectoral Nerve Block Compared With Continuous Thoracic Paravertebral Block and Intravenous Opioid Analgesia for the Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy in Patients Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy: A Prospective Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVES

Postoperative pain following mastectomy is often severe and pain management is necessary. We evaluated the analgesic efficacy of continuous pectoral nerve block (PEC) in comparison with that of the continuous thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and the intravenous opioid analgesia in patients scheduled for modified radical mastectomy (MRM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 90 female patients aged 20 to 70 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I to III, undergoing unilateral MRM were randomly allocated into 3 groups. All patients received postoperative morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Continuous TPVB and continuous PECs were added in group II and group III, respectively. Postoperative morphine consumption during the first 48 hours and postoperative visual analog scale were recorded.

RESULTS

The cumulative morphine consumption in the first 24 hours postoperative was higher in the PCA-M group (27.47±4.95 mg) than that of the TPVB group (8.43±2.67 mg) and PEC group (13.47±3.89 mg) (P<0.001, confidence interval: 16.6-21.5 and 11.6-16.4, respectively). It was significantly higher in the PEC group as compared with the TPVB group (P<0.001, confidence interval: 2.6-7.5). On admission to postanesthesia care unit till 2 hours postoperative, the median visual analog scale score at rest was higher in the PCA-M group than that of the TPVB group (P<0.05) and PEC group (P<0.05) without statistical difference between the TPVB group and PEC group.

DISCUSSION

Continuous PEC and continuous TPVB reduced the postoperative morphine consumptions as compared with the intravenous opioid analgesia in patients undergoing MRM with greater reduction in TPVB and without increased adverse effects.

Comparison of ultrasonography guided serratus anterior plane block and thoracic paravertebral block in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a prospective randomized double-blind study

Background

Various truncal block techniques with ultrasonography (USG) are becoming widespread to reduce postoperative pain and opioid requirements in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The primary aim of our study was to determine whether the USG-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is as effective as the thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) in VATS. Our secondary aim was to evaluate patient and surgeon satisfaction, block application time, first analgesic time, and length of hospital stay.

Methods

Patients in Group SAPB received 0.4 mL/kg bupivacaine with a USG-guided SAPB, and patients in Group TPVB received 0.4 mL/kg bupivacaine with a USG-guided TPVB. We recorded the pain scores, the timing of the first analgesic requirement, the amount of tramadol consumption, and postoperative complications for 24 hours. We also recorded the block application time and length of hospital stay.

Results

A total of 62 patients, with 31 in each group (Group SAPB and Group TPVB) completed the study. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences in rest and dynamic pain visual analog scale scores at 0, 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. The total consumption of tramadol was significantly lower in the TPVB group (P = 0.026). The block application time was significantly shorter in Group SAPB (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

An SAPB that is applied safely and rapidly as a part of multimodal analgesia in patients who undergo VATS is not inferior to the TPVB and can be an alternative to it.

Establishing a Technique for Pectoral II-Block Catheter Insertion with Ultrasound Guidance: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose

To assess the efficacy and safety of a modified technique for ultrasound-guided pectoral II block for postoperative pain control after mastectomy.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, patients were randomly allocated into two groups (40 patients each). Group I patients were subjected to ultrasound-guided pectoral II block with injection of 10 mL lidocaine 1% as a dissecting solution before attempting catheter insertion, while group II patients underwent the standard procedure without a dissecting solution. Measured outcomes included catheter visibility, pain, patient satisfaction, performance time, and complications.

Results

Compared with group II, group I had significantly lower median catheter-visibility scores, shorter block performance time, and fewer insertion attempts. Group I had a nonsignificantly higher rate of complications than group II.

Conclusion

The modified technique facilitated the procedure, shortened the catheter-insertion time, and showed higher patient satisfaction. However, it was associated with lower catheter visibility on ultrasonography. Further studies are required to confirm the present findings and assess the safety of the modified technique.

Combination of thoracic blocks as a main anesthetic tecnique in modified radical mastectomy for patients with severe respiratory disease

The addition of ultrasound to locoregional anaesthesia in the last few years has led to the description of various fascial thoracic blocks with analgesic purposes: PECS 1 and 2 block, serratus plane block, serratus intercostal fascial block, blockade in the plane of the thoracic transverse muscle..., which have been added to other well-known nerve blocks, such as thoracic paravertebral block or intercostal block. In this sense, locoregional anaesthesia has been universally recommended in patients with severe respiratory processes in order to avoid ventilatory support and subsequent weaning that considerably increases postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. However, as regards thoracic wall and axillary hollow, there are very few references which detail the use of nerve or fascial blocks as a main anaesthetic method. Two extreme cases are presented of multi-pathological patients with serious respiratory disease who successfully underwent a modified radical mastectomy plus surgery in the axillary space using a combination of ultrasound-guided thoracic blocks that allowed surgery without general anaesthesia, avoiding mechanical ventilation, and maintaining spontaneous breathing throughout the surgical procedure. The main indications of the anaesthetic blocks used are described, focusing on the performance of the technique and underlining, in a novel way, the possibility of facing aggressive surgery at the level of the armpit with only locoregional anaesthesia.

Case report: serratus intercostal plane block/BRILMA and sedation for mastectomy in a high risk patient

Breast cancer surgery can benefit from regional anaesthesia techniques, which can be used as a sole anaesthetic procedure in some cases where risk for general anaesthesia is high. Regional anaesthesia allows early recovery, reduces postoperative opioid and non opioid analgesics consumption and helps early home discharge, reducing thus costs. We present a case of an 87-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities who underwent breast cancer surgery. The patient was successfully surgically treated under serratus intercostal plane block anaesthesia. We discuss the use and benefits of the serratus intercostal plane block in thoracic procedures.

Analgesic efficacy of modified pectoral block plus serratus plane block in breast augmentation surgery: A randomised, controlled, triple-blind clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Prosthetic breast surgery is a very common plastic surgery procedure, but its postoperative analgesic management is a challenge for the surgical team. The purpose of the present study is to validate the analgesic efficacy of pectoral block and serratus plane block in retropectoral mammoplasty.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A randomised, controlled, triple-blind, clinical trial was designed, and included 30 patients undergoing retropectoral augmentation mammoplasty. All of them had a modified PECII block and a serratus plane block with a total volume of 40ml per breast. In 15 of them bupivacaine 0.25% (GPEC) was injected and in the other 15 patients saline was used (GC). Standardised management of anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia was performed. Intra-operative haemodynamic parameters required for postoperative analgesia, and a numeric verbal scale on arrival in the recovery unit were measured and at 3, 6, and 24h. The quality perceived by patients and surgeons was also measured.

RESULTS

Post-operative pain was significantly better in GPEC (5.3±2.3 vs. 2.9±2.7; P=.018). No significant differences were observed at 3, 6, and 24h. The surgeons rated the anaesthetic-analgesic quality as very good in 80% of the cases in GPEC versus 33% in CG (P=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of these blocks is a good perioperative analgesic strategy in the multimodal management of retropectoral augmentation mammoplasty.

Benefits in radical mastectomy protocol: a randomized trial evaluating the use of regional anesthesia

Surgery is the first-line treatment for early, localized, or operable breast cancer. Regional anesthesia during mastectomy may offer the prevention of postoperative pain. One potential protocol is the combination of serratus anterior plane block (SAM block) with pectoral nerve block I (PECS I), but the results and potential benefits are limited. Our study compared general anesthesia with or without SAM block + PECS I during radical mastectomy with axillary node dissection and breast reconstruction using evaluations of pain, opioid consumption, side effects and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and IL-10. This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Fifty patients were randomized to general anesthesia only or general anesthesia associated with SAM block + PECS I (25 per group). The association of SAM block + PECS I with general anesthesia reduced intraoperative fentanyl consumption, morphine use and visual analog pain scale scores in the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) and at 24 h after surgery. In addition, the anesthetic protocol decreased side effects and sedation 24 h after surgery compared to patients who underwent general anesthesia only. IL-6 levels increased after the surgery compared to baseline levels in both groups, and no differences in IL-10 and IL-1 beta levels were observed. Our protocol improved the outcomes of mastectomy, which highlight the importance of improving mastectomy protocols and focusing on the benefits of regional anesthesia.

The usefulness of interpectoral block as an analgesic technique in breast cancer surgery

OBJECTIVE

To compare the analgesic efficacy of continuous interpectoral block (CIPB) compared to intravenous analgesia (IV) after breast surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A prospective, comparative and randomised study of women aged from 18-75years, ASAI-III, operated for breast cancer. In group1 (CIPB) after general anaesthetic, an ultrasound-guided interpectoral catheter was placed and 30mL of 0.5% ropivacaine was administered through it. In the event of an increase in heart rate and blood pressure >15% after the surgical incision, intravenous fentanyl 1μg·kg^-1 was administered, repeating the dose as necessary. In the postoperative period, perfusion of ropivacaine 0.2% 5mL·h^-1; with PCA bolus 5mL/30minutes was administered through the catheter for 24hours and rescue analgesia prescribed with 5mg subcutaneous morphine chloride. In group2 (IV), after induction of general anaesthesia, intravenous fentanyl was administered in the same way as in the other group. The patients received metamizole 2g with dexketoprofen 50mg and ondansetron 4mg postoperatively followed by perfusion of metamizole 4%, tramadol 0.2% and ondansetron 0.08% 2ml·h^-1; with PCA bolus 2mL/20min for 24hours. The same rescue analgesia was prescribed. The principal variables recorded were pain at rest and during movement, according to a simple verbal scale (VAS 0-10) and the rescue analgesia required on discharge from recovery, at 12 and at 24hours.

RESULTS

137 patients were included: 81 in group1 (59.12%) and 56 in group2 (40.87%). No significant differences were observed in the analgesia between either group, but differences were observed in the dose of intraoperative fentanyl (P<.05). Differences that were not significant were observed in the rescue analgesia required on recovery (10% fewer on group1).

CONCLUSIONS

Both techniques provided effective postoperative analgesia, but the CIPB group required significantly less intraoperative fentanyl.

Regional analgesia in postsurgical critically ill patients

Regional analgesia intrinsically, based on its physiological effects, is routinely used for the perioperative treatment of pain associated with surgical procedures. However, in other areas such as the non-surgical treatment of acute pain for patients in a critical condition, it has not been subjected to specific prospective studies. If we confine ourselves to the physiological effects of the nerve block, in a situation of stress, the indications for regional anaesthesia in this group of patients extend to the management of a wide variety of medical as well as postsurgical conditions, of trauma patients and of other painful procedures performed in the patient's bed. The critical patient certainly must be analyzed individually as their own primary conditions is of vital importance, as well as any associated conditions they have developed that can potentially increase the risk of systemic toxicity or morbidity, such as, coagulopathies, infection, immunosuppressive states, sedation and problems associated with mechanical ventilation. This review aims to assess the role of regional analgesia in critically ill patients, placing it within the algorithm decision tree of the professional responsible for patients in critical care units, all based on the evidence of potential benefits according to the published literature.

Quality of postoperative recovery after breast surgery. General anaesthesia combined with paravertebral versus serratus-intercostal block

INTRODUCTION

The quality of postoperative recovery is one of the most important among all the quality indicators used in clinical situations. This is even more important after cancer surgery. Our aim was to evaluate this after non-reconstructive breast surgery under general anesthesia and paravertebral blockade or serratus-intercostal plane blockade, in the early and late post-operative period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted on 60 patients (25 paravertebral blockade group and 35 serratus-intercostal plane blockade group) scheduled for non-reconstructive breast surgery during a 6 month period. Every patient received general anaesthesia and were randomised to receive either paravertebral blockade or serratus-intercostal plane blockade. The quality of post-anaesthetic recovery was quantified by Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale, which is used to assess physiological, nociceptive, emotional, autonomy, cognitive and general state domains at different times: baseline (before surgery), 15min after the end of surgery, at discharge to home, and one month after surgery.

RESULTS

A total recovery of 95.93% was achieved in the early postoperative period (15min PACU), 99.07% at discharge to home, and 99.25% at one month after the intervention. No significant differences were found between groups in total score or in each evaluated area.

CONCLUSIONS

A progressive improvement was observed in the scores assessed with the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale, reaching values that would allow the discharge to home and early return to usual active life from the immediate postoperative period, with no significant differences between the 2 analgesic techniques. Savings in opioid use and the excellent recovery were observed in all measured domains observed.