Ultrasound–guided serratus anterior plane block versus thoracic epidural analgesia for acute post–thoracotomy pain: a prospective randomized controlled study

Background: Post–thoracotomy pain can result not only in discomfort to the patient but also pulmonary complications, due ineffective coughing, which leads retention of secretions. It into chronic post–thoracotomy long term. Many analgesic techniques are use control it, including continuous serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) and thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). We compared efficacy safety SAPB with TEA patients undergoing open lung resection.
 Methodology: This randomized, open–labeled, parallel–controlled trial was done 60 aged 20 y American Society Anesthesiologists physical status II–III, who underwent elective thoracotomy for cancer surgery. Patients were randomly allocated according either via a catheter (10 ml levobupivacaine 0.25%, followed by 5 ml/h 0.125%) or an ultrasound–guided (30 0.25% 0.125%). Mean arterial pressure heart rate recorded during after Inj. fentanyl used as rescue analgesia. Postoperatively VAS at rest on coughing assess pain. Any complications noted.
 Results: After excluding five patients, 27 28 groups, respectively. Intraoperatively until 24 h end surgery, mean higher group than group. Intraoperatively, requirement more Postoperatively, cough significantly The occurrence nausea vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia similar groups.
 Conclusions: In resection cancer, less effective controlling postoperative presented adverse events.
 Key words: Serratus block; Thoracic epidural, Continuous; Thoracotomy pain, Acute
 Abbreviations: PTP – pain; analgesia; Visual analog scale; MAP blood pressure; LA Local anesthetics
 Preregistration: study registered institutional board ethical committee (201617026) www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03933592)
 Citation: Mostafa MM, Bakeer AH, Gamal RM. Ultrasound–guided versus acute pain: prospective randomized controlled study. Anaesth. intensive care 2021;25(6):733–740 ;
 DOI: 10.35975/apic.v25i6.1692
 Received: July 09, 2021, Reviewed: October 06, Accepted: 2021