Efficacy of Ropivacaine in Ultrasound Guided Pectoralis Nerve Block 2 versus Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Post Operative Analgesia in Breast Surgeries: A Prospective, Comparative Study

Background: Breast surgeries can be associated with acute postoperative pain which if left untreated might lead to chronic pain therefore pre-emptive treatment post surgery can be favourable. The aim of our study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of PECS 2 compared to SAB to reduce post operative pain in breast surgeries done under general anaesthesia. Methods: A total of 50 patients belonging to ASA 1 & 2 undergoing elective breast surgery were randomly assigned into two groups. Pectoralis nerve block 2 group received 25ml of 0.5% Ropivacaine and Serratus anterior plane block group received 25ml of 0.5% Ropivacaine under ultrasound guidance post induction. The primary outcome was to compare the duration of post operative analgesia with PECS 2 and SAB. Other outcome parameters observed were total rescue analgesic requirement, change in post operative hemodynamic parameters and complications if any. Results: There was a significant difference in duration of post operative analgesia between two groups with Mean Duration of post operative Analgesia in PECS 2 being 510±32.6mins and SAB being 316±26.5mins (p=0.036). The VAS score as well as number of rescue analgesic requirement with PECS 2 was lesser when compared to SAB. Conclusion: Ropivacaine in ultrasound guided PECS 2 block provided superior analgesic profile when compared to SAB.