Postoperative pain after mastectomy remains a significant clinical problem that may impair patient comfort and delay early rehabilitation, potentially affecting functional recovery. Various analgesic techniques are used to manage postoperative pain. This study aims to compare serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block and erector spinae plane block, which are routinely used in our clinic for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing mastectomy, in terms of ease of application and patient comfort.
Postoperative pain following mastectomy is a common and clinically significant issue that not only reduces patient comfort but may also hinder early mobilization and rehabilitation, thereby negatively impacting overall functional outcomes. Effective postoperative analgesia is therefore a key component of perioperative care in breast surgery. A variety of analgesic techniques, including systemic analgesics and regional anesthesia methods, are currently employed to manage postoperative pain. Among these, ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks have gained increasing popularity due to their relative safety, simplicity, and effectiveness. The serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block and the erector spinae plane (ESP) block are two such regional techniques used for thoracic analgesia. In our clinical practice, both SPSIP and ESP blocks are routinely used for patients undergoing mastectomy. However, comparative data regarding their ease of application and impact on patient comfort are limited. Ease of application is an important consideration for anesthesiologists, particularly in busy clinical settings, while patient comfort during block placement is a critical but often underreported outcome. The primary aim of this study is to compare SPSIP block and ESP block in patients undergoing mastectomy in terms of ease of application and patient comfort during the procedure. Secondary considerations may include block-related characteristics and their contribution to postoperative recovery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
64
Participants in this group will receive an ultrasound-guided serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block for postoperative analgesia following mastectomy. The block will be performed under standardized conditions prior to surgery according to the study protocol.
Participants in this group will receive an ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block for postoperative analgesia following mastectomy. The block will be performed under standardized conditions prior to surgery according to the study protocol.
Ease of block application (procedure difficulty score)
The ease of application of the block will be evaluated using a 10-point numerical rating scale (0-10), where lower scores indicate easier application and higher scores indicate greater procedural difficulty. The score will be assigned by the anesthesiologist performing the block immediately after completion of the procedure.
Time frame: Immediately after block performance
Postoperative pain score at 24 hours
Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain) at 24 hours after surgery.
Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively
Quality of recovery at 24 hours
Postoperative recovery quality will be assessed using the Quality of recovery (QoR-15) questionnaire at 24 hours after surgery. The total score ranges from 0 to 150, with higher scores indicating better recovery.
Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively
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