Pectoral Block Research Articles

Regional Anesthesia With Pectoral Blocks as a Non-inferior Approach for Mastectomy Analgesia: A Quality Improvement Study

Regional Anesthesia With Pectoral Blocks as a Non-inferior Approach for Mastectomy Analgesia: A Quality Improvement Study

Pectoralis Block in Geriatric Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Modified Radical Dextra Mastectomy

Pectoralis Block in Geriatric Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Modified Radical Dextra Mastectomy

Comparative analysis of surgical and anaesthetic pectoral blocks in mastectomy patients

Comparative analysis of surgical and anaesthetic pectoral blocks in mastectomy patients

Rhomboid intercostal sub serratus plane block – Same bird with different horizons

Sir,We did a case series in five patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy who were given RISS for post-operative analgesia. We noticed that the intraoperative fentanyl consumption as well as the post-operative analgesic consumption was significantly less. The overall quality of life and satisfaction score for routine daily activities like wearing clothes was better in our patients. The importance and efficacy of these blocks are because of the continuity of the interfacial planes across varied anatomical tissues. These planes have various cutaneous as well as sympathetic branches and hence drug given spreads to cover a large dermatomal area. RISS has been proposed to cover lateral cutaneous branches of T2 to T11 that extend medially to cover dorsal rami deep to the errector spinae muscle plane (ESP). The site of injectate is at T5-T6. The dermatomal coverage is 4 cm lateral to the midline anteriorly, posteriorly 4 cm medial to the posterior axillary line, cranially up to serrated posterior superior caudally up to serratus posterior inferior. The advantages of RISS block are that the injection is far from the surgical site and hence the drug does not interfere with the surgical field or cautery if given preoperatively. After induction technically, it is more feasible than serratus plane block or pectoral blocks. Logistically prior catheterization is possible that does not interfere with the sterility of the surgical field. Despite the above advantages, the axillary coverage is inconsistent as it does not cover the intercostobrachial nerve (LCB of second ICN T2). The midline, thoracodorsal nerve, and long thoracic nerve are not covered. Complete analgesia is not provided for latissimus dorsi flap, segmental resection surgeries, lymph node dissections, or radical mastectomies. Dr. Tulgar, first-ever reported of the use of RIB in a patient of MRM and highlighted the superiority of peri-peri-paravertebral blocks apart from previously used ESP and paravertebral blocks for a similar condition. Altiparimak conducted an RCT on 30 MRM patients with axillary lymph node dissection. The patients had enhanced recovery and quality of life scores (QoR-40), especially in terms of pain and emotional status. RISS has proved its non-inferiority as compared to ESP, paravertebral, PEC, and SAP which are closer to neuroaxis, at non-compressible sites and difficult to execute in obese patients. Thus RISS is excellent as a part of MMA for post-operative pain management in MRM patients, who remain comfortable for up to 14 h and have an NRS score <3 was seen in all of our five patients. The dynamic nature of pain was apparent at 14 h in three of the patients who had extensive axillary lymph node dissection. Is the journey of regional anesthesia just the replacement of “pops and clicks” with see it and block it? The renaissance in the era of blocks is visualizing an invention of a new block almost every month. We depend on the facial plane anatomy, its structure, and its relation to the surrounding organs and tissues to precisely disseminate the local anesthetic to its desired location. In this blind sheep race, enthusiasm should not blur our understanding of the basics. We should remember Triple A, improve health, enhance patient outcomes, and decrease the costs. We open the doors for larger studies with more patients, comparing different blocks with RIB/RISS blocks before generalizing the results. CONCLUSIONRhomboid intercostal subserratus plane block is an excellent option for intra and post-operative pain management as a part of multimodal analgesia in MRM patients.

Clarifications on: Pectoralis Blocks Nomenclature and Clinical Applications of Regional Anesthesia Techniques for Breast and Thorax.

This is in response to the recently published case series applying pectoralis blocks (Pecs blocks) for infective breast conditions by  Brewer et al. I wish to provide a few clarifications regarding the Pecs blocks and other blocks such as Pecs Zero block, Serratus anterior plane block, Erector spinae block that can be adopted in an emergency department setting. 

Response to Clarifications on: Pectoralis Blocks Nomenclature and Applications of Regional Anesthesia Techniques.

Response to Clarifications on: Pectoralis Blocks Nomenclature and Applications of Regional Anesthesia Techniques.

“Comparison of Postoperative Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound Guided Pectoral Vs Erector Spinae Block in Patients Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy”: A Randomised Controlled Study

Objectives: Post-operative pain after modified radical mastectomy ranges from moderate to severe. Pectoralis (PECS) block has been found to be more effective than Erector Spinae Pain block in reducing pain and the consumption of analgesia in the post-operative period. This study aimed to compare the effect of ESP and PECS block on the quality of recovery after modified radical mastectomy with different dosage of drugs and different time of giving blocks. Methods: The randomised controlled study was conducted at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, India, from March 2019 to March 2020. Patients were given blocks according to the computer-generated randomisation 30 minutes before shifting to the operation theatre. Group A received ESP block and group B received modified PEC block. Patient VAS score, NRS score and demand of rescue analgesia with patient satisfaction was recorded for 48hrs post-operatively. Results: A total of 60 patients were included (30 in each group). In the post-operative period, the mean VAS scores were statistically significant at 4, 8 and 24 hours postoperatively between the two groups with significantly lower VAS scores in Group A than in Group B. The total requirement of rescue analgesic was significantly lower in the ESP group than in the PECS group with p value 0.0154(<0.05). The time to first rescue analgesia was significantly higher in the ESP group (11.21±3.14) hours than in the PECS group (6.15±3.52) hours. Conclusion: Both ESP and PECS block were effective in improving the VAS score and in reducing the consumption of rescue analgesia after modified radical mastectomy.

The Pectoralis Block: A Case Series of a Novel Modality for Acute Pain Control in the Emergency Department.

Regional anesthesia has long been used in a perioperative setting for the treatment of both pre- and postoperative pain. Recently, this skill has been brought into the emergency department (ED) as a modality for treating acute pain as the pendulum shifts away from an opioid-based armamentarium and toward a multimodal future. In this case series, we describe a way to use the pectoralis nerve block I and II in the treatment of pain with regard to breast abscesses and/or breast cellulitis managed in the ED. This paper describes three cases, all of which consist of a painful complaint in the thoracic region. The first was a patient diagnosed with a breast abscess. The second patient was diagnosed with breast cellulitis. Finally, the third patient was diagnosed with a large breast abscess that extended into the axilla. All three sustained immense relief with the pectoralis block. While further research is needed on a larger scale, preliminary data suggests that the ultrasound-guided pectoralis nerve block is an effective and safe modality of acute pain control in regard to breast and axillary abscesses along with breast cellulitis.

REGIONAL NERVE BLOCK FOR SUBCLAVIAN ACCESS TAVI

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) program has started in the UK in 2007 performing 66 cases a year, the number of cases of TAVI done every year has been exponentially increasing since then to reach 6076 cases in the year 2020. (Ludman) The UK TAVI registry has shown a nationwide shift in practice from general anaesthesia to conscious sedation for trans-femoral access TAVI, analysis has shown a fall of In-hospital mortality from 4.7 in 2012 to 1.8% in 2016 (Ludman). This shift, however, has not occurred in the same way for other arterial access like trans-subclavian or trans-axillary, which is still widely practiced in the UK under general anaesthesia. The vast majority of cases in the UK are done through the femoral access, however, finding an alternative approach is sometimes needed due to contraindication to the standard femoral approach, mostly vasculopathy, which usually indicates higher risk patient and higher likelihood of associated co-morbidities. Performing the alternative access TAVI under general anaesthesia adds more risk to the patient and in some cases could be life threatening, some of these patients could be deemed unfit for the procedure. Finding an alternative anaesthetic technique will allow these patients to have their procedures done with lower risk and have the optimum chance for quicker recovery. The technique of combining Superficial cervical plexus block, interscalene block with Pectoral block type II was first described in 2018 by Alexander et al and reproduced by Block et al in the United States in the same year to allow for performing subclavian access TAVI without general anaesthesia. The same technique was partially adopted with some modification by Vivian et al in Canada and Toscano et al in Italy in 2020 and 2021 respectively. In this manuscript we share our experience doing a series of subclavian access TAVI under regional nerve block and conscious sedation at the Freeman hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, to our knowledge, and from literature search, this is the first time this is performed successfully in the UK as we didn't see any published reports on this technique within the country.

ASO Visual Abstract: The Use of Pectoralis Blocks in Breast Surgery: A Practice Advisory and Narrative Review From the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA)

ASO Visual Abstract: The Use of Pectoralis Blocks in Breast Surgery: A Practice Advisory and Narrative Review From the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA)

Pneumothorax Following Breast Surgery at an Ambulatory Surgery Center

Pneumothorax is a known complication following breast surgery but is likely underappreciated by anesthesiologists. Iatrogenic pneumothorax can be caused by needle injury during local anesthetic injection, surgical damage to the intercostal fascia or pleura, or pulmonary injury from mechanical ventilation. We present two cases of pneumothorax following bilateral mastectomy with bilateral pectoral blocks and immediate breast reconstruction. Both cases occurred at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center in patients with no history of lung disease. One patient was found to have bilateral pneumothoraxes after complaining of shortness of breath and chest pain in the post-operative care unit. The second patient was asymptomatic but found to have a right-sided pneumothorax on a chest X-ray (CXR) that was ordered to rule-out left-sided pneumothorax due to concern of intraoperative breach of the left chest wall. Both patients were treated with chest tubes, transferred to a nearby hospital, and discharged several days later. Anesthesiologists must be aware of this potentially life-threatening complication and consider pneumothorax in the differential diagnosis of perioperative hypoxemia, shortness of breath, chest pain, and hemodynamic collapse in patients undergoing breast surgery. Though traditionally diagnosed via radiograph, pneumothorax can be rapidly diagnosed with ultrasound. Tension pneumothorax should be decompressed immediately with a needle. A clinically significant, non-tension pneumothorax is treated with chest tube placement. Equipment necessary to treat pneumothorax should be available for emergency treatment in facilities wherever breast surgery is performed.

Intraoperative pectoral block versus thoracic paravertebral block for postoperative analgesia after breast cancer surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

With the increasing rate of breast cancer surgery, the pain management of these patients gains importance. The aim of this study is to compare the ultrasound (US) guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPV) versus intraoperative pectoral nerve block (PECS) with a low volume local anaesthetic for postoperative analgesia after breast cancer surgery. A total of 41 patients underwent mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy or modified radical mastectomy were included in this randomized controlled, single-blinded trial. The patients were divided into two groups as PECS and TPV blocks. In the PECS group, 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine was administered to the fascial plane by the surgeon. In the TPV group, 25 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine at T3 level was administered by the anaesthetist under US-guidance. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and additional analgesic requirements were recorded at postoperative 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. In the TPV group, mean VAS score (VAS0) was significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001). In other time periods, there was no significant difference between the groups. It was observed that intraoperative PECS block was as effective as TPV in providing postoperative analgesia and additional analgesic requirements were similar. This result suggests PECS block may be a good alternative to TPV.

The Use of Pectoralis Blocks in Breast Surgery: A Practice Advisory and Narrative Review from the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA).

Although pectoralis (PECS) blocks are commonly used for breast surgery, recommendations regarding the efficacy of these blocks have thus far not been developed by any professional anesthesia society. Given the potential impact of PECS blocks on analgesia after outpatient breast surgery, The Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) convened a task force to develop a practice advisory on the use of this analgesic technique. In this practice advisory, we compare the efficacy of PECS blocks with systemic analgesia, local infiltration anesthesia, and paravertebral blockade. Our objectives were to advise on two clinical questions. (1) Does PECS-1 and/or -2 blockade provide more effective analgesia for breast-conserving surgery than either systemic analgesics or surgeon-provided local infiltration anesthesia? (2) Does PECS-1 and/or -2 blockade provide equivalent analgesia for mastectomy compared with a paravertebral block (PVB)? Among patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery, PECS blocks moderately reduce postoperative opioid use, prolong time to analgesic rescue, and decrease postoperative pain scores when compared with systemic analgesics. SAMBA recommends the use of a PECS-1 or -2 blockade in the absence of systemic analgesia (Strength of Recommendation A). No evidence currently exists that strongly favors the use of PECS blocks over surgeon-performed local infiltration in this surgical population. SAMBA cannot recommend PECS blocks over surgical infiltration (Strength of Recommendation C). For patients undergoing a mastectomy, a PECS block may provide an opioid-sparing effect similar to that achieved with PVB; SAMBA recommends the use of a PECS block if a patient is unable to receive a PVB (Strength of Recommendation A).

ASO Author Reflections: SAMBA's Practice Advisory for the Use of Pectoralis Blocks in Breast Surgery: Overview and Lingering Questions.

ASO Author Reflections: SAMBA's Practice Advisory for the Use of Pectoralis Blocks in Breast Surgery: Overview and Lingering Questions.

Abstract No. : ABS1591: Effect of erector spinae block and PECS block on quality of recovery and analgesia after modified radical mastectomy

Background and Aims:Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women ; modified radical mastectomy is one of the standard treatments.This study compared the effect of erector spinae block and pectoralis(PECS) block on quality of recovery and analgesia after modified radical mastectomyMethods:The present randomised controlled double-blind study was conducted on 90 patients undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. The patients were randomised into group-I (PECS block 20ml 0.25% bupivacaine, n=30), group-II (erector spinae block 20ml 0.25% bupivacaine, n=30) and group-III (control group, n=30). Along with clinical anddemographical data, the requirement of the first dose of rescue analgesia, total rescue analgesic consumption, visual analogue scale(VAS) scores and Quality of Recovery(QoR) -40 scoreswere compared. Anaesthesia and surgical interventions were done as per standard protocol.Results:Mean first rescue analgesic requirement was significantly delayed in group-I followed by group-II compared to controls . Mean total rescue analgesic consumption was much lower in group-I and group-II as compared to group-III and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.0001)(figure 1). Mean VAS scores were also much lower in group-I followed by group-II as compared to group-III at different follow-ups, and difference was statistically significant. The global QoR-40 at 24 hours showed significantly better outcomes in group-1(table 1)Figure 1Global QoR-40 between the groupsTable 1Postoperative tramadol requirementAnalgesic requirementGroup B (n=30)Group C (n=30) P Time for 1st need of tramadol (h)8.10±1.480.7±0.38<0.001Total tramadol consumption (mg)68±48.55210±52.65<0.0001Total numberof patients requiring tramadol (%) 24 h10 (33.33%)30 (100%)<0.0001Table 1Quality of Recovery(QoR) -40 scores between the groupsGlobal QoR-40 (0-200)Group I (n=30)Group-II (n=30)Group-III (n=30) P Pre-operative186.63±7.78185.53±6.73186.34±7.56P=0.8360At 24 h183.64±6.36179.68±6.38171.37±6.88P<0.001* P t=1.63, P=0.1086t=3.455, P=0.0010*t=8.021, P<0.001*Conclusion:Both PECS and ESP block can be used efficaciously for providing analgesia in modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. However, PECS shows better outcomes.

Abstract No. : ABS3263: Comparison of efficacy of ultrasound guided pectoral blocks plus serratus anterior plane block versus ultrasound guided erector spinae block with fentanyl group as control for analgesia in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass Grafting.

Background & Aims:To compare the efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Pectoral block (PECS 1&2) plus Serratus Anterior Plane (SAP) block versusErector Spinae Plane (ESP) block for post-op analgesia in patients undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting(OPCAB). Postoperative analgesia in terms of Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores at rest (static) and during movement (dynamic) was taken as the primary outcome. Haemodynamic variations,opioid consumption at 48 hours postoperative, time to mobilisation, level of pain at rest and after mobilisation and complications were noted as secondary outcomes.Methods:81 American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade III and IV patients between 35 -70 years, undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were recruited.Patients were randomly allocated into three groups, each with 27 subjects: (Group A: Pectoral +Serratus anterior plane block group; Group B: Erector spinae block group ;Group C: Control group with only intravenous opioids).10 ml of 0.25% Bupivacaine + 1% Lignocaine with adrenaline (1 in 2 Lac)+8 mg dexamethasone was givenultrasound guidedPECS 1 and 2 & SAP- 10 ml; on either side and 30ml on either side for Erector spinae block.Results:ESP block had comparable analgesic profile as PECS +SAPB at rest andduring movement in terms of NRS pain scores. Total perioperative opioid consumption was markedly decreased with the supplementation of newer blocktechniques, and better sedation profile wasobserved. The need for rescue analgesia was markedly reduced in block groups.Haemodynamic variationsduration of postoperative ventilation, ICU and hospital stay were comparable in all the three groups.Conclusion:The study concluded that regional blocks were superior to intravenous fentanyl for postoperative pain relief following cardiacsurgery. The use of narcotics leads to poor pain relief and greater sedation in the postoperative period.

Efficacy of regional anesthesia techniques for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing major oncologic breast surgeries: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The optimal regional technique to control pain after breast cancer surgery remains unclear. We sought to synthesize available data from randomized controlled trials comparing pain-related outcomes following various regional techniques for major oncologic breast surgery. In a systematic review and network meta-analysis, we searched trials in PubMed,Embase Scopus, Medline,Cochrane Central and Google Scholar, from inception to 31 July 2020, for commonly used regional techniques. The primary outcome was the 24-hr resting pain score measured on a numerical rating score of 0-10. We used surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) to establish the probability of an intervention ranking highest. The analysis was performed using the Bayesian random effects model, and effect sizes are reported as 95% credible interval (Crl). We conducted cluster-rank analysis by combining 24-hr pain ranking with 24-hr opioid use or incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Seventy-nine randomized controlled trials containing 11 different interventions in 5,686 patients were included. The SUCRA values of the interventions for 24-hr resting pain score were continuous paravertebral block (0.83), serratus anterior plane block (0.76), continuous wound infusion (0.76), single-level paravertebral block (0.68), erector spinae plane block (0.59), modified pectoral block (0.49), intercostal block (0.45), multilevel paravertebral block (0.41), wound infiltration (0.33), no intervention (0.12), and placebo (0.08). When compared with placebo, the continuous paravertebral block (mean difference, 1.26; 95% Crl, 0.43 to 2.12) and serratus anterior plane block (mean difference, 1.12; 95% Crl, 0.32 to 1.9) had the highest estimated probability of decreasing 24-hr resting pain scores. Cluster ranking analysis combining 24-hr resting pain scores and opioid use showed that most regional analgesia techniques were more effective than no intervention or placebo. Nevertheless, wound infiltration and continuous wound infusion may be the least effective active interventions for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting. Continuous paravertebral block and serratus anterior plane block had a high probability of reducing pain at 24 hr after major oncologic breast surgery. The certainty of evidence was moderate to very low. Future studies should compare different regional anesthesia techniques, including surgeon-administered techniques such as wound infiltration or catheters. Trials comparing active intervention with placebo are unlikely to change clinical practice. PROSPERO (CRD42020198244); registered 19 October 2020.

A COMPARISON OF POST-OPERATIVE ANALGESIA WITH INTRAOPERATIVE PECTORAL NERVE BLOCK VERSUS CONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING MODIFIED RADICAL MASTECTOMY: A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED, AND DOUBLE-BLINDED STUDY

Objective: We administered intraoperative pectoral nerve block after tissue resection was over and assessed its analgesic efficacy with conventional post-operative intravenous opioids in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy surgery were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, and doubleblinded study. After general anesthesia and surgical resection in both groups, Group P received pectoralis (PECS) block under vision with ropivacaine at two points: 20 ml in the fascia over serratus anterior and 10 ml in the fascia between pectoral major and minor at the level of the third rib and Group T received tramadol (75 mg) in thrice daily frequency and 2% lignocaine infiltration at suture site. Primary objectives were to assess visual analog scale (VAS) scores over 24 h, time to first request for rescue analgesia (ketorolac) and total dose of analgesics needed, and secondary outcome was adverse effects and patient satisfaction score. “Mann–Whitney U test” and “Chi-square/Fischer exact test” were used for quantitative and categorical variables, respectively. Results: The mean time to the first rescue analgesia was 1175±120.21 and 1175±77.35 min and total analgesia requirement was equal (30.00±0.00 mg) in Group P and Group T, respectively. The mean VAS score over 24 h was comparable in both the groups. PECS block group had significantly less adverse effects and better satisfaction score. Conclusion: PECS block has similar analgesic efficacy as opioids but with better ability to mobilize the respective arm, better patient satisfaction score, and lesser adverse effects.

Efficacy of the pectoral nerve block type II and paravertebral block for enhanced recovery after breast cancer surgery

Background. Breast cancer surgery is associated with severe postoperative pain and increased frequency of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). It slows down patients’ mobilization in the postoperative period. Regional anesthesia provides better analgesia and can be part of enhanced recovery after surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of the pectoral nerve block type II, paravertebral block, and systemic analgesia concerning the opioids consumption, PONV, time to first food intake, and mobilization of patients in the perioperative period of breast cancer surgery. Materials and methods. Ninety-one adult women after unilateral radical mastectomy or quadrantectomy with axillary dissection were enrolled and randomized into three groups depending on the type of anesthesia. The control group included only patients with general anesthesia (GA), pectoral block group — GA plus pectoral nerve block type II with ropivacaine 0.375% 30 ml, and paravertebral block (PVB) group — GA plus thoracic paravertebral block with ropivacaine 0.5% 20 ml. The evaluated variables included opioids consumption during and after surgery, the occurrence of PONV, the time to the first feeding, and first mobilization in the postoperative period. Results. The dose of fentanyl during the operation was 2.6 (2.07‑3.62) μg/kg/h in the control group, 2.3 (1.86‑2.94) μg/kg/h in the PB group, 1.9 (1.62‑2.24) μg/kg/h in the PVB group (p = 0.003). Nine patients (31 %) in the control group, 8 patients (27 %) in the PVB group, and 6 patients (19 %) in the PB group required analgesia with promedol 2% after surgery (p = 0.542). The time to getting out of bed in the control, PB and PVB groups was 360 (150–360) min, 170 (120–240) min, and 162.5 (120–240) min, respectively (p = 0.003), and the time to the first meal was 360 (240–360) min, 165 (120–240) min, and 180 (120–220) min, respectively (p &lt; 0.001). The incidence of PONV was the lowest in the PB group — 6 vs. 27 vs. 31 % in the PVB and control groups, respectively (p = 0.027). Conclusions. Among studied methods of analgesia in breast cancer surgery, the pectoral nerve block type II has the greatest advantages for enhanced recovery after surgery.

Comparative study of postoperative analgesia and opioid requirement using pectoral nerve blocks with general analgesia

Breast cancer, which is the most common cancer in women, results to moderate to severe acute postoperative pain. Pectoral nerve block I and II, relatively new regional techniques, were introduced for perioperative and postoperative postmastectomy pain by Blanco in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of combined pectoral nerve block I and pectoral nerve block II blocks for perioperative opioid consumption and postoperative analgesia and also contribute to new topic in anaesthesia: “Opioid-free anaesthesia is possible with combination of pectoral blocks in breast cancer surgery”. Sixty women patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists status I–III, aged ≥ 18 years undergoing breast surgeries, were included to study. Cases were randomly allocated to two groups: Group I, opioid-based general anaesthesia, and Group II, non-opioid general anaesthesia except induction of anaesthesia with pectoral nerve block I and pectoral nerve block II blocks. Patients demographic characteristics, intraoperative total remifentanil consumption, duration of surgery, first analgesic demand after surgery, nausea and vomiting, surgeon and patient satisfaction were recorded. Two groups were similar in terms of demographic features, surgery time, surgery type and vomiting. The mean remifentanil consumption in Group I was 8.63 mL (SD = 3.18) compared to mean = 1.73 mL (SD = 1.04) in Group II. Statistically lower remifentanil consumption was recorded in Group II than Group I. No patient developed nausea after surgery in Group II. Time for first analgesic demand after surgery for Group I and II were 35.00 (SD = 19.60) and 124.5 (SD = 99.00) minutes respectively. Time for first analgesic demand after surgery was statistically significant between the groups. Satisfaction scores were higher in Group II for both surgeon and patient. General anaesthesia combined with pectoral nerve block I and pectoral nerve block II blocks which is gaining acceptance over the world is safe and effective for breast surgery. We thought that further studies are necessary to investigate timing of blocks and combinations of blocks.