Ultrasound-guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Thoracic Surgery Pain?

Analgesic options for thoracotomy are various with each having their own merits and demerits.Thoracic epidural is said to be the gold standard for management of thoracotomy pain. However, it is invasive procedure and many side effects. Other options include paravertebral block, interpleural block, intrathecal opioids. Especially, paravertebral block is thought good alternative to epidural anethesia. Most of these invasive neuraxial techniques demand normal coagulation parameters to be present.

The serratus anterior plane block(SAPB) was done under ultrasound guidance in the mid-axillary line at the level of the fourth rib and the catheter was placed superficial to the serratus plane. The patient expressed relief in pain within 10 minutes of being given the bolus of local anaesthetic.Pain following thoracotomy is chiefly due to rib retraction, and damage to the serratus/intercostal muscles and intercostal nerves. A SAPB addresses both these aspects. SAPB has been mentioned in previous studies for management of rib fractures and breast surgeries. The investigators try to evaluate whether the SAPB is easy to perform and provides effective analgesia in patients undergoing thoracotomy with minimal side effects.