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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05961735

Comparison of PECS II Block and Combined Serratus Anterior Plane Block to Reduce Acute Pain After Mastectomy

In this study, PECS II block or CSAB will be applied to patients who have had a modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia for postoperative pain relief by using 30 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine .All patients will receive tramadol with a patient-controlled analgesia device during the postoperative period. Pain, nausea-vomiting, additional analgesic and antiemetic drug requirement, within 24 hours postoperatively will be compared between groups.

In this study, it was aimed to compare the efficacy of both peripheral nerve block methods in patients after mastectomy.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Ankara Etlik City Hospital

Ankara, Varlık Mahallesi, Halil Sezai Erkut Caddesi Yenimahalle, 06170, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Breast cancer ranks first among the most common malignant neoplasms in women. Surgery has been a mainstay of breast cancer treatment for several decades and historically, a modified radical mastectomy was the primary method of treatment for breast cancer. Poorly controlled acute postoperative pain is associated with increased morbidity, functional and quality-of-life impairment. Additionally, severe acute postoperative pain is found to be a risk factor for chronic pain.

Thoracic paravertebral, thoracic epidural, intercostal nerve, and interscalene brachial plexus blocks have been used for anesthesia and abirritation during modified radical mastectomy, but their application is limited due to the complex nature of the procedures and serious complications. There is growing interest in the pectoralis nerve (PECS) blocks and serratus anterior block (SAB) which are less invasive as an analgesic technique during breast surgeries to reduce postoperative pain.

The Pecs I block is a single injection of local anaesthetic between pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles at the level of the 3rd rib to anaesthetise the lateral and medial pectoral nerves. The Pecs II block is a modified Pecs I block and can be achieved with one needle insertion point. Local anaesthetic is placed between pectorals major and minor as for a Pecs I block and then between pectoralis minor and serratus anterior muscles.

Numerous clinical studies focusing on the analgesic potential of PECS block in breast augmentation surgery, small breast surgery and breast cancer surgery have yielded positive results. SAD is more superficial, easy to access and less likely to have complications like PECS block. SAPB can be implemented in two ways. Deep SAB (DSAB) is applied under the serratus anterior muscle, while superficial SAB (YSAB) is applied over the serratus anterior muscle. In recent years, deep and superficial SAB, that is, combined SAB (CSAB), has been started to be applied in order to increase the effect area of local anesthetics and to prevent block failure.

In this study, PECS II block or CSAB will be applied to patients who have had a modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia for postoperative pain relief by using 30 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine .All patients will receive tramadol with a patient-controlled analgesia device during the postoperative period. Pain, nausea-vomiting, additional analgesic and antiemetic drug requirement, within 24 hours postoperatively will be compared between groups.

In this study, it was aimed to compare the efficacy of both peripheral nerve block methods in patients after mastectomy.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients between the ages of 18-80
  • Patients with ASA score I-II-III
  • Patients with a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 40
  • Patients who underwent PECS-II block or CSAB with mastectomy in the operating room

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients under the age of 18 and over the age of 80
  • Patients with an ASA score of IV and above
  • Patients with advanced co-morbidity
  • Patients with a history of bleeding diathesis
  • Patients who have infection in the area which is to be blocked
  • BMI below 18 and over 40
  • Patients undergoing emergency surgery

Treatment and study plan

PECS II Block

Other

The Pecs II block is applied to the patients after induction of anesthesia .

Combined Serratus Anterior Plane Block

Other

Combined Serratus Anterior Plane Block is applied to the patients after induction of anesthesia .

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

    Time frame: 0 hours postoperatively

    Participants recorded pain rated on the numeric rating scale (NRS) at 6 time points. NRS range was from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 the worst pain possible.

  2. Pain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

    Time frame: 2 hours postoperatively

    Participants recorded pain rated on the numeric rating scale (NRS) at 6 time points. NRS range was from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 the worst pain possible.

  3. Pain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

    Time frame: 4 hours postoperatively

    Participants recorded pain rated on the numeric rating scale (NRS) at 6 time points. NRS range was from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 the worst pain possible.

  4. Pain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

    Time frame: 8 hours postoperatively

    Participants recorded pain rated on the numeric rating scale (NRS) at 6 time points. NRS range was from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 the worst pain possible.

  5. Pain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

    Time frame: 12 hours postoperatively

    Participants recorded pain rated on the numeric rating scale (NRS) at 6 time points. NRS range was from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 the worst pain possible.

  6. Pain on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    Participants recorded pain rated on the numeric rating scale (NRS) at 6 time points. NRS range was from 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 the worst pain possible.

  7. Total opioid consumption

    Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively

    All patients will receive tramadol with a patient-controlled analgesia device during the postoperative period.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ankara Etlik City Hospital

Other Gov

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jul 27, 2023
Registry last updated
Apr 11, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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