Background
Chronic pain and discomfort after breast cancer surgery could be reduced by improving acute postoperative pain management.
Aim
The aim is to compare the analgesic effectiveness of ultrasonography (US) guided serratus anterior plane (SAP) block vs combined modified pectoral nerve (PECS II) and transeversus thoracic plane (TTP) blocks by for modified radical mastectomy patients. The study was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov with registration code: NCT04908878
Patients and methods
70 patients were divided into two equal groups (35 each). After induction of general anesthesia, Group I got unilateral us-guided PECS II-TTP blocks on the procedure side. Group II: received unilateral us-guided SAP block on the operation side. The 24 hours’ postoperative morphine consumption (mg) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were VAS score, time to first need for rescue analgesia, patient satisfaction and complications.
Results
In combined PECS II-TTP blocks there was a significant decrease in the 24 hours’ postoperative morphine consumption [median (IQR); 3 (3, 6) and 9 (9, 12) mg], VAS scores [median (IQR); 3 (2, 3), 3 (3, 4) at 4 hrs. and 3 (3, 3), 3 (3, 5) at 6 hrs. in group I and II respectively] and prolonged time for 1 rescue analgesia [median (IQR); 8 (6, 12) and 6 (4, 8) hrs in group I and II respectively]. While, there were no significant differences between the two groups in intra-operative fentanyl consumption, hemodynamics or complication.
Conclusion
The PECS II-TTP blocks provide effective and long-lasting postoperative analgesia than SAP block in modified radical mastectomy.