Establishing a Technique for Pectoral II-Block Catheter Insertion with Ultrasound Guidance: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of a modified technique for ultrasound-guided pectoral II block for postoperative pain control after mastectomy. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, patients were randomly allocated into two groups (40 patients each). Group I patients were subjected to ultrasound-guided pectoral II block with injection of 10 mL lidocaine 1% as a dissecting solution before attempting catheter insertion, while group II patients underwent the standard procedure without a dissecting solution. Measured outcomes included catheter visibility, pain, patient satisfaction, performance time, and complications. RESULTS: Compared with group II, group I had significantly lower median catheter-visibility scores, shorter block performance time, and fewer insertion attempts. Group I had a nonsignificantly higher rate of complications than group II. CONCLUSION: The modified technique facilitated the procedure, shortened the catheter-insertion time, and showed higher patient satisfaction. However, it was associated with lower catheter visibility on ultrasonography. Further studies are required to confirm the present findings and assess the safety of the modified technique.