Intraoperative Interpectoral and Subserratus Nerve Blocks in Breast Augmentation Surgery

An essential component in ambulatory breast augmentation surgery is good analgesia. The demographic undergoing this operation is usually fit, low risk with few comorbidities. These patients do not require long-term hospitalization and do not want to spend excessive time in the hospital for financial reasons. Opiate analgesia can have significant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and sedation. Reducing volumes of postoperative opiates allows faster ambulation and discharge from day surgery. We have developed two targeted nerve blocks that the operating surgeon can apply in minutes under direct vision, not requiring imaging. Anecdotally, we found that these targeted nerve blocks reduced opiate requirements and allowed accelerated discharge and faster return to normal activities. We conducted a prospective randomized, double-blind trial to test this theory.

Twenty patients were randomized into saline (n = 10) or ropivacaine adrenaline solution (n = 10). The operating surgeons and anesthetists were blinded to the solution. All patients were closely followed up, and morphine equivalents were accurately recorded. Follow-up pain scores were recorded using the Overall Benefit of Analgesia pain questionnaire.

The ropivacaine nerve blocks significantly reduced opiate requirements postoperatively (P < 0.05). Pain scores were significantly decreased in the study group (P < 0.05). There were no side effects attributable to the nerve blocks.

Intraoperative targeted nerve blocks significantly reduce postoperative opiate requirements in breast augmentation surgery resulting in faster recovery and higher patient satisfaction.