Breast cancer is the most common and leading cause of cancer deaths among females worldwide. Patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM) are associated with moderate to severe acute postoperative pain and shoulder mobility restriction. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided PECS block for reducing opioid consumption, providing adequate postoperative pain management and improving patient satisfaction following breast cancer surgery.
The traditional pain management for patients undergoing MRM has relied heavily on opioids but a number of multimodal pain control strategies also exist including combining opioids with NSAIDs, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, acetaminophen and regional blocks. Recently, literature underlines the importance of performing regional anaesthetic and analgesic techniques for postoperative analgesia following breast surgery. PECS (Pectoral nerve block) block provides analgesia for breast surgeries with few adverse effects. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of ultrasound guided pectoral block in reducing intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption following modified radical mastectomy. The secondary objective is to determine patient satisfaction levels associated with adequate pain control. HYPOTHESIS Pectoral nerve blocks provides superior analgesia with less opioid consumption and improves patient satisfaction in postoperative period compared to conventional pain management for modified radical mastectomy patients
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
70
PECS nerve block will be performed using the ultrasound-guided technique described by Blanco and colleagues. Block will be performed with a 22-gauge 100 mm needle (Stimuplex, B. Braun Medical Inc., Pennsylvania, USA) using Mindray M7 imaging system (Diagnostic Instruments Inc., China) with a high-frequency (6-13 MHz) linear array transducer.20 mL of ropivacaine 0.25% in 5-mL increments will be injected, aspirating gently between injections. The needle will be withdrawn to place the tip in the fascial plane between the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles and ropivacaine 0.25%, 10 ml in 5 ml increments will be injected. Injectate spread between the muscles will be visualized. For patients in control group, no nerve block will be performed and only intravenous nalbuphine will be given.
No nerve block will be performed and only intravenous nalbuphine will be given.
Aga Khan University Hospital
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Total intraoperative opioid consumption
Total intraoperative nalbuphine
Time frame: During surgical procedure
Total postoperative opioid consumption
Total Rescue Tramadol Consumption
Time frame: First 24 hours after surgery
Patient Satisfaction
Patient satisfaction with post-operative analgesia will be noted via satisfaction scoring i.e.: 1. = Not Satisfied 2. = Good or satisfied 3. = Excellent or very satisfied
Time frame: First 24 hours after surgery
Postoperative pain score
Numeric rating scale for pain assessment: Patient will be asked to rate their intensity of pain on numeric scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain).
Time frame: 1, 6,12 and 24 hours after surgery
Postoperative nausea and vomiting
Yes or No
Time frame: First 24 hours after surgery
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