Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Modified Radical Mastectomy Surgeries: A Case Series.

Effective pain management is crucial for modified radical mastectomy (MRM) surgeries. The Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIPB), introduced in 2023, shows promise for postoperative analgesia. This study was designed to demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of the SPSIPB in MRM surgeries. SPSIPB was administered to 7 patients who underwent MRM for postoperative analgesia. NRS scores of patients were ≤4 and total tramadol consumption was 0 mg in 3 of 7 patients. In conclusion, SPSIPB appears to be an effective, safe, and easily applicable option for analgesia.

Efficacy of Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block on Postoperative Pain and Total Analgesic Consumption in Patients Undergoing Reduction Mammoplasty Surgery: An Evidence Based Report.

Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) is a novel technique that provides analgesia in shoulder, hemithorax and in the back of the neck. In this study, the efficacy of this block on postoperative pain and quality of recovery is reported in ten consecutive patients who had undergone reduction mammoplasty. Blocks were performed bilaterally with 30 ml 0.25 % bupivacaine for each side, at the end of surgery. Cumulative tramadol consumption and numerical rating scale (NRS) scores during rest (static) and coughing (dynamic) were assessed within the first postoperative 24 hours. Mean total tramadol consumption was 39 ±9.94 mg. NRS scores above 4 were observed in 5 patients in the dynamic NRS assessment at the postoperative 1st hour, while static and dynamic NRS scores were ≤4 at other durations. SPSIPB may play a part in postoperative multimodal analgesia following mammoplasty in the future and may reduce total analgesic consumption. Key Words: Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block, Reduction mammoplasty, Breast surgery, Postoperative analgesia.

Effects of Modified Thoracoabdominal Nerve Block Through Perichondrial Approach on Postoperative Pain and Analgaesic Consumption in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate postoperative analgaesic efficacy of modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) and its effect on opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised, controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkiye, from April to May 2023. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted in two randomised groups: M-TAPA (n = 21) and control group (CG) (no block) (n = 21). All patients had standard general anaesthesia. M-TAPA patients had bilateral M-TAPA block with 0.25% bupivacaine (total volume, 40 ml) at the end of the surgery. In contrast, CG patients had only tramadol for postoperative pain. A numerical rating scale (NRS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used for postoperative pain assessment. Total tramadol consumption was calculated. RESULTS: M-TAPA's NRS and VAS scores were lower in postoperative 24 hours (p<0.05). Total tramadol consumption was 116.67 ± 32.91 mg in CG and 35.71 ± 39.19 mg in M-TAPA (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Bilateral M-TAPA block for postoperative pain control after LC surgery provided effective analgaesia for up to 24 hours and reduced total opioid consumption. Although the M-TAPA block is a novel approach, it will be a part of multimodal analgaesia for routine postoperative pain management in abdominal surgeries. However, more studies with higher numbers of patients will be needed. KEY WORDS: Analgaesia, Bupivacaine, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Nerve block, Pain management.

Efficacy of serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) on post-operative pain and total analgesic consumption in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): A double-blinded randomised controlled trial.

Background and Aims: Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) is a novel technique that can provide analgesia in the hemithorax, shoulder, and back of the neck. This study aimed to evaluate the post-operative analgesic effect of SPSIPB in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods: It is a double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Twenty-four adult patients who underwent VATS via the uniportal technique were randomised into two groups: the SPSIPB group (n = 12) received SPSIPB along with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with tramadol, whereas the control group (n = 12) received only PCA with tramadol. At the end of the surgery, patients in the SPSIPB group received a unilateral SPSIPB under ultrasound guidance with the use of 30-mL bupivacaine 0.25%. The primary outcome was the numerical rating scale (NRS) scores of the patients. Secondary outcomes included the amount of tramadol and rescue analgesic (paracetamol) consumed by the patients, followed up for post-operative 24 hours. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-Square Test. Mann-Whitney U Test was used to compare groups of variables that were not normally distributed. Results: The SPSIPB group had lower NRS values during post-operative 24 hours (P < 0.001). Mean (standard deviation) total tramadol consumption was 58.33 (26.23) mg in the SPSIPB group and 144.17 (13.11) mg in the control group (P < 0.001). Rescue analgesic need was lower in the SPSIP group in the first 18 post-operative hours (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block provides good analgesia in the thoracic region after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Effect of adding dexmedetomidine to intra-articular levobupivacaine on postoperative pain following arthroscopic meniscus surgery: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo- controlled, clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adding dexmedetomidine to intra-articular levobupivacaine on postoperative pain levels and analgesic requirements following arthroscopic meniscectomy. METHODS: A total of 60 American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status I-II patients, aged 20 to 62 years, and scheduled for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy under general anesthesia were included in this study. All the patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups (15 patients in each group): Group 1 (8 male, 7 female; mean age = 46.70 ± 13.13 years; 0.9% isotonic 20 ml), group 2 (7 male, 8 female; mean age = 42.60 ± 12.18 years; levobupivacaine 0.5 mg/kg plus 0.9% isotonic), group 3 (8 male, 7 female; mean age = 43.80 ± 12.63 years; 1µg/kg dexmedetomidine plus 0.9% isotonic), and group 4 (7 female, 8 male; mean age = 40.40 ± 11.79 years; levobupivacaine 0.5 mg/kg plus 1µg/kg dexmedetomidine and 0.9% isotonic). All medications were administered at the end of arthroscopic surgery. Pain levels were measured using a Visual Analogous Scale (VAS) and Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) at postoperative 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours. RESULTS: VAS scores at rest were significantly lower in Group 4 at postoperative 1th, 2nd, 4th, 6th,12th, and 24th hours than in other groups. The time to take the first analgesic was significantly higher in Group4 (964 ± 288 min), and total analgesic consumption was significantly lower in Group 4 compared to those of other groups. CONCLUSION: Although administration of intra-articular dexmedetomidine alone may have a weaker effect than intra-articular levobupivacaine on postoperative pain relief after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, adding dexmedetomidine to intra-articular levobupivacaine may increase the durationand quality of postoperative analgesia without any side effect. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, Therapeutic Study.

The effect of postoperative serratus anterior plane block on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing breast surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of serratus anterior plane block (SAP) on postoperative morphine consumption. We aimed to determine the differences between both similar blocks and evaluate the effect of the methods of application of this block on patients' postoperative pain scores and morphine consumption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is a single-center, prospective and observational study performed with 40 volunteer patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-III, who were 18-70 years of age, scheduled for breast surgery. A total of 40 patients who underwent general anesthesia were divided into two groups each with 20 patients. While SAP block was applied to the study group, no block was applied to the control group. SAP block was made by injecting a total of 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine between 2 muscles after the test dose was injected with saline. All patients were followed up for 12 hours postoperatively with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Morphine consumption, visual analogue score (VAS) values and side effects were recorded at the postoperative 1st, 6th and 12th hours. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of hemodynamic parameters and demographic data. Postoperative morphine consumption and postoperative analgesic requirement were significantly lower in the SAP block group (p <0.001). Postoperative VAS values were significantly lower in the SAP block group (p <0.001). No complication was observed related to the block. CONCLUSION: It was found that the SAP block reduced morphine consumption, significantly decreased VAS values, and reduced side effects due to opioids postoperatively.