Pectoral Nerves (PECS) Block Is Effective for Motor Function Recovery in the Early Postoperative Period after Breast Cancer Surgery

Abstract

Background: Pectoral nerves (PECS) block has been reported to be effective for a perioperative analgesia for breast cancer surgery. In addition, we may consider that the PECS block is also effective for motor function in postoperative period. Therefore, we investigated the effect of PECS block for motor function in postoperative period. Methods: This study selected the patients performed the breast cancer surgery between April and September, 2015. The study surveyed the difficulty of movement of the upper limbs at postoperative day 5 (D5) and postoperative month 6 (M6) by performing telephone survey. We counted the number of patients who complained of the difficulty of movement of the upper limbs. All results were compared using the chi- squared test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 93 patients received only general anesthesia (G group). 85 patients received PECS block with general anesthesia (P group). The number of the P group at D5 was 2 patients. On the other hand, the number of the G group was 15 patients (P = 0.042). In the same way, the number of the P group M6 was no patient. On the other hand, the number of the G group was 10 patients (P = 0.043). Conclusion: A PECS block is effective for motor function recovery in the early postoperative period after breast cancer surgery.