The breast journal
Comparison of Modified Pectoral Nerve Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia and Surgical Stress Response Following Modified Radical Mastectomy: A Prospective, Randomised, Blinded Study
By Laller A, Gupta L, Bharti D and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and modified pectoral nerve block (PECS-II) are being increasingly used to control pain following breast surgeries. However, evidence comparing their effects on postoperative analgesia and surgical stress response is limited. The current study compared analgesic efficacy and surgical stress response attenuation of ESPB and PECS-II in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM).
Methods
In this prospective, randomised, comparative study, 42 patients undergoing elective MRM were randomly divided to receive either ESPB or PECS-II. Both groups received 30 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine with 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine after induction of general anaesthesia (GA). The primary outcome was time to first rescue analgesia requirement. Secondary outcomes were postoperative numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, rescue analgesic consumption, intraoperative fentanyl requirement, serum cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), patient satisfaction and block-related complications.