Efficacy of Pectoral Nerve Block Type-II versus Rhomboid Intercoastal Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia in...

Interfascial plane blocks are found to be effective in providing long-lasting analgesia in breast surgery. This study aims to compare the efficacy of two interfascial blocks: pectoral nerve block type-II (PEC II) and rhomboid intercostal block (RIB).

In this randomised prospective comparative study, 60 patients were subdivided equally into Group P (PEC II block) and Group R (RIB block). Group P was administered 15 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine between pectoralis minor and serratus anterior muscles, and Group R was injected with 15 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine between rhomboideus major and intercostal muscles by placing the needle in cephalad to caudal direction. Outcome measures of the study were preoperative and postoperative measurements of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at time intervals of 0 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h.

The mean HR, and systolic and diastolic BP were found to be higher immediately postoperatively in both groups. At different time intervals, Group P patients had comparatively higher BP, HR, and VAS pain scores than RIB block patients. Except at time intervals of 0 min and 1 h, where VAS scores were P < 0.05, no significant correlation was observed with other parameters.

Both PEC and RIB were found to be effective in providing long-lasting analgesic effects. Clinicians can use either PEC or RIB for effective analgesia in breast surgeries based on their prior experience.