COMPARISON OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED THORACIC PARAVERTEBRAL AND PECTORALIS INTERFASCIAL PLANE BLOCK FOR MODIFIED RADICAL MASTECTOMY

Aims and Objectives : To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block(TPVB) and ultrasound-guided pectoralis interfascial plane (PECS) block for Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM). The primary objectives were to compare duration of post-operative analgesia and total post-operative analgesic consumption while the secondary objectives were to compare dermatomal spread, intraoperative anaesthesia requirement and patient satisfaction. Materials And Methods: Sixty female patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II, undergoing MRM under general anaesthesia, were randomly recruited to receive ultrasound-guided TPVB (Group T) or ultrasound-guided PECS block (Group P) with 25ml of 0.25% bupivacaine, in a prospective, observer-blinded, randomized study. Data was statistically analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test or Fishers exact probability test continuous variables compared using unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Results: All demographic variables were comparable. Intraoperative fentanyl consumption was lower in patients who received PECS block (72.50+27.35) than those who received TPVB (104.17+46.92) (p=0.0023). NRS was comparable in both groups till 2 hours post operatively. However, from 4 hours onwards, till 18 hours the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was significantly higher in TPVB group. Dermatomal spread was more extensive and postoperative analgesia requirement was lower in Group P. Patient satisfaction was comparable in both groups. Conclusion: PECS block is associated with superior postoperative analgesia and reduced analgesic requirement. The cranial dermatomal spread was better and intraoperative opioid requirement was less with PECS block.