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Subject Area

General Surgery

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of a pectoral nerve block in female patients undergoing a mastectomy. Background Pain after breast surgery could be managed in many ways such as by opioid administration. However, there has been an increasing trend toward the application of nerve block techniques to decrease opioid consumption. We carried out this research to evaluate the efficacy of a pectoral nerve block in female patients undergoing a mastectomy. Patients and methods This prospective randomized study included 50 patients preparing for breast cancer surgery who were allocated into two equal groups: group A included 25 patients who received a sham pectoral nerve block and group B included the remaining patients who received a pectoral nerve block. The postoperative visual analog scale was our primary outcome, whereas intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, nausea, and vomiting were the secondary outcomes. Results Despite the absence of significant differences between the two groups in patient and operation characteristics, group B showed a significant reduction in intraoperative fentanyl consumption, together with total doses of postoperative paracetamol and nalbuphine and lower visual analog scale values compared with the controls during the first 10 h after surgery. The first analgesic request was delayed in group B, which also showed a significant decrease in postoperative nausea and vomiting. Patient satisfaction was significantly better in the same group. Conclusion Pectoral nerve block is a safe and effective technique that offers effective pain relief after breast surgery. It leads to decreased analgesic consumption and increased patient satisfaction.

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