Volume study of superficial serratus plane block for breast surgeries: a prospective randomized study

Serratus plane block (SPB) was introduced by Blanco et al  , is a novel form of

ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia fascial plane block that can achieve

paraesthesia of the hemithorax. Surgery on the chest wall is relatively common

and can be associated with considerable postoperative discomfort and pain.

Breast cancer has continued to be the most common cancer afflicting women,

accounting for 31% of all new cancer cases in the female population . Every

year, thousands of patients undergo surgery in the region of the breast and

axilla. These procedures cause significant acute pain and may progress to

chronic pain states in 25–60% of cases . Blockade of the lateral cutaneous

branches of the thoracic intercostal nerves (T2–T12) will provide analgesia to

the anterolateral chest wall in this patient population  .

This fascial plane block has become popular in recent years because of its ease

of performance as compared with thoracic epidural or paravertebral block. Its

analgesic effectiveness has been reported for mastectomies, thoracotomies,

rib fractures, and chest drain insertions.

Previous cadaveric studies have examined the extent of dye spread and the

nerves involved.  However, the optimal plane and volume of injection for

maximal spread in the anterior chest wall and axilla have not been evaluated.

There has been limited study concerning the appropriate volume for this

block .

Hence our goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of volume, level, and site

of injection on the extent of injectate spread that can influence analgesic

coverage and role in chronic pain management.