By Ultrasonic-Guided Erector Spinae Block, Thoracic Paravertebral Block versus Serratus Anterior Plane Block by Articaine with Adrenaline during Breast Surgery with General Anesthesia: A Comparative Study of Analgesic Effect Post-Operatively: Double Blind Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background and Aims: Erector spinae plane block, Paravertebral block and serratus anterior block are three formats for analgesia post-operatively following radical mastectomy. This study compares the analgesic efficacy of these modalities for analgesia post-operatively by articaine 2% with adrenaline. Methods: Seventy-five patients with ASA physical status I or II subjected to modified radical mastectomy with axillary clearance were enrolled for the study. After induction of general anaesthesia all patients received 20 mL 2% articaine with adrenaline in each technique of the study. Patients in Group 1 (Erector spinae block [ESB], n = 25), Group 2 paravertebral block [PVB] n = 25), Group 3 (serratus anterior plane block [SAPB] n = 25) were ultrasound-guided on ipsilateral side. Patients were estimated for pain scores at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h, and duration of analgesia post-operatively and relieve analgesic doses required of morphine up to 24 h. Results: Visual analogue scale scores post-operatively were lower in ESB and PVB group compared with SAPB at 4, 6, 12 and 24 h (P < 0.05). The first analgesic dose requirement was significantly longer in ESB (416 ± 68 min) than PVB group (371 ± 67 min) in compared with SAPB (343.5 ± 54.7 min). Mean duration of analgesia was significantly longer in ESB and PVB group (P < 0.001) in compared with SAPB. Total morphine dose of relieving analgesic was significantly lesser in ESB (4 ± 2 mg) than PVB group (6 ± 2 mg) compared with SAPB (7 ± 2 mg) up to 24 h. ESB was easy technique and has less side effect on compared with PVB. As regard block-related complications including (accidental vascular puncture, pneumothorax, nerve damage, local anesthetics toxicity), there were no significant adverse effects noted in three groups. However, only a case of pneumothorax in (PVB) and a two patients’ blood was aspirated when the paravertebral space was entered which required second trial at the blocks. Conclusion: Sonar-guided erector spinae block and thoracic paravertebral block minimize post-operative pain scores, prolongs the duration of analgesia and diminishes requirements for assigning analgesics in the first 24 h of post-operative period compared to ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block but, ESB technique was more potent, easily and less side effect in compared with PVB.