Key result
Preoperative PECS linked to reduced opioid use, pain, and length of stay versus general anesthesia.
Why the study?
Pectoral nerve block is increasingly performed in breast surgery, but its clinical impact on the postoperative course required evaluation.
Does pectoral nerve block reduce postoperative opioid consumption, pain, and length of stay in patients undergoing breast surgery?
Case-Control (n=114)
Does pectoral nerve block reduce postoperative opioid consumption, pain, and length of stay in patients undergoing breast surgery?
p-value: p=<0.002
Pectoral nerve block before general anesthesia in breast surgery significantly reduces postoperative opioid consumption, pain, and length of stay.
PECS linked to lower opioid use, pain, and shorter stay; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Background: Pectoral nerve block (PECS) is increasingly performed in breast surgery. Aim: The study evaluated the clinical impact of these blocks in the postoperative course. Patients & methods: In this case–control study, patients undergoing breast surgery with ‘enhanced recovery after surgery’ pathways were divided into group 1 (57 patients) in whom PECS was performed before general anesthesia, and group 2 (57 patients) in whom only general anesthesia was effected. Results: Postoperative opioid consumption (p < 0.002), pain at 32 h after surgery (p < 0.005) and the length of stay (p < 0.003) were significantly lower in group 1. Conclusion: Reducing opioid consumption and pain after surgery, PECS could favor a faster recovery with a reduction in length of stay, ensuring a higher turnover of patients undergoing breast surgery.
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Conti et al. (2023) conducted a case-control in Breast surgery (n=114). Pectoral nerve block (PECS) before general anesthesia vs. General anesthesia only was evaluated on Postoperative opioid consumption, pain at 32 h after surgery, and length of stay (p=<0.002). Pectoral nerve block before general anesthesia significantly reduced postoperative opioid consumption (p<0.002), pain at 32 hours (p<0.005), and length of stay (p<0.003).
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