The Analgesic Effects of Combined Pectoral Nerve BlocksVersus Combined Serratus Anterior Plane Block and Pecto-Intercostal Fascial Plane Block in Breast Surgery

Abstract

Poorly controlled acute pain after breast surgery is associated with a variety of unwanted post-operative consequences, including patient suffering, distress, respiratory complications,prolonged hospital stay and an increased likelihood of chronic pain. The analgesic regimen used for postoperative pain control needs to meet the goals of providing safe, effective analgesia, with minimal side effects for the patient. Several methods for multimodal analgesia after breastsurgery have been used in clinical practice. For example, various nerve blocks are used. Although the commonly used thoracic epidural nerve block and thoracic paravertebral block provide excellent pain relief, these procedures are difficult to perform, with associated risks involved in changing the patient’s posture for the procedure, and potential hazards such as pneumothorax and neurological complications.Therefore, thoracic interfascial plane block and pectoral nerve blocks have emerged as a pain control method in individuals undergoing breastsurgery because they are not difficult to perform, and do not require changing the patient’s posture.