Efficacy of postsurgical ultrasound guided serratus intercostal plane block and wound infiltration on postoperative analgesia after female breast surgeries. A comparative study

Objective
The serratus intercostal plane block is successfully performed for pain management after breast surgeries. To assess the efficacy and safety of serratus intercostals plane block in comparison with local wound infiltration in women under-going breast surgery.
Methods
This prospective study was conducted on 46 female patients undergoing breast surgeries.
Results
Intraoperative pain scores and postoperative patient satisfaction scores were significantly lower in group SB compared with infiltration group. Total dose of rescue analgesic was significantly lower in SB group compared with Infiltration group. Significant difference between the study groups regarding the incidence of vomiting. Time to the first analgesic dose was significantly longer in group SB compared to Infiltration group.
Conclusion
There is considerable evidence that serratus intercostal plane block in addition to general anesthesia provide better postoperative pain control with little adverse effects compared with wound infiltration, indicating that a perioperative serratus intercostal plane block is a feasible and effective method for an improved postoperative pain treatment after breast surgery.