sap block
Description
Background and Aims: Ultrasound-guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block (SAPB) is a novel analgesic technique used for breast and thoracic wall surgeries. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the duration of postoperative analgesia with SAPB in Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) surgeries. The secondary objectives were to assess the total morphine consumption during the first 24 h, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score postoperatively. Material and Methods: After Institutional Ethical Committee approval and CTRI registration (CTRI/2019/01/017194), sixty patients undergoing MRM surgeries under general anesthesia were taken for the study with 30 patients in each group. At the end of the surgery, patients in group A were given ultrasound-guided SAPB with 20 mL 0.25% Ropivacaine with Dexamethasone 8mg and no block was given in group B patients. Postoperatively patients were monitored continuously and assessed for VAS and vitals. PCA Morphine pump was administered for postoperative analgesia with 0.1mg/h baseline infusion and 1mg bolus doses with lockout interval time of 10min. The duration of postoperative analgesia, consumption of morphine and adverse effects in the first 24 h were recorded. Results: The duration of postoperative analgesia was prolonged in group A (1423±185.55 vs 148±51.11 min, p-value <0.0001) with reduced morphine consumption (3.37 ± 0.85 mg vs 10.7 ± 1.6 mg, p-value <0.0001). The average VAS scores were relatively lower in SAPB group. No complications were observed related to the SAP block. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided SAPB provided increased duration of analgesia and reduced morphine consumption following MRM surgeries in postoperative period with no complications.