Chronic Pain in Post-Mastectomy Patients; The Difference Between Pectoral Nerve (PECS I-II) and Erector Spinal Plane (ESP) Blocks

Launched by HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY · Mar 22, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Despite advancements in breast cancer treatment, chronic postoperative pain-known as post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS)-remains a common complication, with reported rates between 40-50%. It is typically neuropathic in nature and linked to factors such as axillary lymph node dissection, radiotherapy, and high levels of acute postoperative pain. Younger patients are at higher risk, and early neuropathic symptoms may predict long-term pain.

Regional anesthesia techniques, including PECS and erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks, are widely used to improve perioperative pain control and potentia...

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Scheduled to undergo modified radical mastectomy due to breast cancer
• • Decision to perform PECS I-II or ESP block made independently from the study, as part of standard pain management
• • Aged between 18 and 65 years
• • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification I or II
• • Female
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Inability to perform the block (e.g., coagulation disorder, allergy to local anesthetics, infection at the injection site)
• • Obesity (Body Mass Index \> 35 kg/m²)
• • Pre-existing neurological deficits
• • Younger than 18 or older than 65 years
• • ASA physical status classification III or IV
• • Refusal to give informed consent