Comparative Evaluation of Pectoral Nerve Block Type II Versus Rhomboid Intercostal and Subserratus Plane Block in Breast Cancer Mastectomy for Postoperative Analgesia: a Randomized, Controlled Trial

Summary

This study aimed to investigate the analgesic effects of Pectoral Nerve Block Type II and Rhomboid Intercostal and Subserratus Plane Block after radical mastectomy for breast cancer.This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial recruited 67 female patients with complete follow-up records who underwent unilateral modified radical mastectomy (MRM) at Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Hospital from December 1, 2023 to December 1, 2024. Subjects were assigned to the observation group and the control group at a 1:1 ratio using a random number table. Among them, 30 patients who received pectoral nerve block (PECS II) for analgesia were included in the observation group, and 30 patients who received Rhomboid Intercostal and Subserratus (RISS) block for analgesia were included in the control group. The primary outcomes included the 40-item Quality of Recovery (QoR-40) scores at 6 hours and 24 hours after surgery, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), as well as at 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after surgery.T he secondary outcomes included the consumption of sufentanil in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after surgery, the number of effective compressions, the use of remifentanil during the operation, the number of additional analgesic administrations, the sleep quality on the first day after surgery, and the incidences of block-related complications and postoperative adverse events.

Conditions

• Breast Cancer

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Pectoral Nerve Block Type II

In the PECS II group,once the needle tip reached the fascial plane between the pectoralis minor and serratus anterior muscles and there was no blood aspiration, 15 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine was injected. Then the needle was withdrawn until the needle tip reached the fascial plane between the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles, and another 15 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine was injected. After the nerve block was implemented, the area of sensory block was marked, and the spread of the local anesthetic was monitored by ultrasound. Alcohol swabs and pinprick tests were used to detect cold and pain sensations.

PROCEDURE

Subserratus Plane Block

In the RISS group,the linear ultrasound probe was placed in the sagittal plane at the level of the 5th to 6th thoracic vertebrae (T5-6), just medial to the scapula, to identify the trapezius, rhomboid major, and intercostal muscles. A 21-gauge puncture needle was inserted in a cranial-to-caudal direction into the plane between the rhomboid major and intercostal muscles. When there was no blood aspiration, 20 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine was injected. After that, the ultrasound probe was moved caudally and laterally to identify the tissue plane between the serratus anterior and external intercostal muscles for performing the subserratus block at the level of the 8th to 9th thoracic vertebrae (T8-9). The puncture needle was advanced from the previous position, and when there was no blood aspiration again, an additional 20 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine was injected.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

30 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-12-01

Primary Completion

2024-12-01

Completion

2024-12-01

Countries

• China

Study Locations