Abstract
Purpose
Pain management before and after surgery is crucial for patients undergoing breast surgery. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is applied for postoperative analgesia in thoracic and abdominal surgical procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ESPB on postoperative pain and intravenous (IV) opioid consumption in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study was conducted following ethics committee approval. Data from patients who underwent breast cancer surgery between October 15, 2020, and April 30, 2022, were analyzed. Patients who received ESPB along with IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) were classified as Group 1, while those who received only IV PCA were classified as Group 2. IV morphine consumption and pain scores at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively were recorded in each group.
Results
A total of 172 patients were included in the study. Morphine consumption at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours was significantly lower in Group 1 (1st hour p < 0.042; 6th, 12th, and 24th hours p < 0.001). Postoperative pain scores at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours were respectively 4.68 ± 2.18, 3.79 ± 2.00, 3.51 ± 1.88, and 2.65 ± 1.68 in Group 1, compared to 6.09 ± 1.91, 4.78 ± 1.58, 4.14 ± 1.53, and 3.19 ± 1.36 in Group 2. Pain scores were significantly lower in Group 1 (1st and 6th hours p < 0.001; 12th hour p < 0.017; 24th hour p < 0.006).
Conclusion
ESPB significantly reduced postoperative opioid consumption and lowered postoperative pain scores compared to IV PCA in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.