Ultrasound guided erector Spinae plane block versus modified pectoral plane block in modified radical mastectomy: a prospective, randomized, single blinded study
Background: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is the most common surgery for cancer breast that is associated with marked postoperative pain. Effective control of this pain suppresses the surgical stress response and decreases the need for opioids and general anesthetics. This study was aimed to compare ultrasound guided erector spinae block (US-ESP) with modified pectoralis nerve block (US-PECS) in terms of post-operative pain scores as the primary objective, in patients undergoing MRM. The secondary objectives of our study were to compare the time of first rescue analgesic, total analgesic consumption and side-effects between the two groups.Methods: Group E comprised of patients receiving 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine plus 0.5 µ/kg dexmedetomidine and it was injected in‑between erector spinae muscle and transverse process. Group P comprised of patients receiving 30 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine plus 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine divided into 10 mL that was injected between the two pectoralis muscles in the inter-fascial plane and the remaining 20 mL was injected between the serratus anterior and the pectoralis minor muscle.Results: Demographic profile was comparable between both groups. Both groups offered good analgesia, but PECS group took an upper hand up to the 6th post-operative hour (p<0.05). Beyond the 6th post-operative hour, analgesic efficacy of both groups was comparableConclusions: Modified pectoralis nerve block offered better analgesia over the erector spinae block technique up to 6th post-operative hour and it is more effective in terms of total rescue analgesic consumption and the time for request of first rescue analgesic, in patients posted for MRM.