Comparison of the Effects of Pectoral Nerve Block and Local Infiltration Anesthesia on Postoperative Pain for Breast Reduction Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the Pecs II block on postoperative pain in patients undergoing breast reduction surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, comparative, and observational study was conducted with 53 patients, with American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II, between the ages of 18 and 65, and undergoing bilateral breast reduction surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: Pecs II block with general anesthesia (Pecs group; n = 26) and local infiltration anesthesia with general anesthesia (control group; n = 27). The patients’ demographic data, duration of surgery and anesthesia, hemodynamic parameters, perioperative analgesia requirements, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores (at zero, one, three, six, nine, and 12 hours postoperative), the number of patients who needed analgesia at least once, the length of the hospital stay, and block-related complications were recorded. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in terms of the duration of surgery and anesthesia and hemodynamic parameters. Intraoperative total fentanyl consumption (128.85 ± 25.19 mcg in the Pecs group and 227.77 ± 44.58 mcg in the control group; P < .001) and postoperative analgesic requirement were significantly lower in the Pecs group (P < .001). The number of patients who needed analgesia at least once in the Pecs group was four (15.3%). Postoperative VAS scores were significantly lower (P < .001) and the length of the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Pecs group (P < .001). No block-related complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Pecs II block with general anesthesia may significantly contribute to reducing intraoperative and postoperative analgesia requirements and provide long-lasting and more effective postoperative pain in breast reduction surgery.