Rokhtabnak F, Sayad S, Izadi M, Djalali Motlagh S, Rahimzadeh P. Pain Control After Mastectomy in Transgender Patients: Ultrasound-guided Pectoral Nerve Block II Versus Conventional Intercostal Nerve Block: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Anesth Pain Med 2021;
11:e119440. [PMID:
35070905 PMCID:
PMC8771815 DOI:
10.5812/aapm.119440]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Mastectomy is sometimes performed in transgender patients, which may damage the regional nerves such as the pectoral and intercostobrachial nerves, leading to postoperative pain. An ultrasound-guided nerve block can be used to track and block the nerves properly.
Objectives
This study aimed to compare the ultrasound-guided type-II pectoral nerve block with the blind (conventional) intercostal nerve block (ICNB) for pain control after breast tissue reconstruction surgery in transgender patients.
Methods
In the present single-blind randomized clinical trial, 47 patients were randomly divided into two groups: (A) Ultrasound-guided type-II pectoral nerve block (n = 23) and (B) blind intercostal nerve block (n = 24). After nerve block in both groups, pain intensity at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, upper limb paresthesia, frequency of nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, hematoma, and the length of hospital stay were assessed.
Results
Patients who received the ultrasound-guided type-II pectoral nerve block had a greater reduction in pain intensity (24 h after surgery), opioid use (24 h after surgery), nausea, vomiting, and hospital stay than those who received ICNB, whereas the recovery time did not differ between the study groups.
Conclusions
The pectoral nerve block under ultrasound guidance, compared to the intercostal nerve block, in transgender patients can reduce the required dosage of opioids within 24 hours, pain intensity within 24 hours after surgery, the incidence of postoperative nausea, and vomiting, and the hospital stay of patients.
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