[Multi-injection thoracic paravertebral anesthesia during breast cancer operations]

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Surgical Oncology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Breast cancer surgeries, including radical and reconstructive procedures, commonly lead to significant postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting.
• Advances in treatment have not fully mitigated these common adverse effects.
• Thoracic paravertebral anesthesia (TPVA) presents a potential strategy for long-term preventive pain management with reduced complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and safety of multi-injection thoracic paravertebral anesthesia (TPVA) versus traditional general anesthesia for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.
• To evaluate the impact of TPVA on postoperative pain levels and recovery quality.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 180 patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Patients were allocated into two groups: 90 undergoing TPVA with intravenous sedation, and 90 receiving traditional multicomponent general anesthesia.
• Data on postoperative pain at rest and during motion were collected at 1, 3, 6, and 24 hours post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Patients receiving TPVA experienced significantly less postoperative pain at all measured time points (1, 3, 6, and 24 hours) compared to the general anesthesia group (p < 0.01).
• TPVA was associated with fewer complications and a qualitatively better recovery period.
• Pain reduction was observed both at rest and during patient motion.

Conclusions:

• Multi-injection thoracic paravertebral anesthesia (TPVA) is a viable and effective alternative to general anesthesia for breast cancer surgery.
• TPVA offers superior postoperative pain control and an improved recovery experience.
• Clinics with expertise in regional anesthesia and appropriate equipment can consider TPVA for minimizing complications and enhancing patient recovery.