Can the Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block Become a Component of Multimodal Analgesia in Open-Heart Surgery?
Canan Yılmaz1, Ffiliz Ata1, Nilay Sertdemir1, Ahmet Burak Tatlı2, Emre Ulusoy3, Eralp Çevikkalp31Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Türkiye2Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Türkiye
3Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, University of Health Sciences, Bursa City Hospital, Bursa Faculty of Medicine, Bursa, Türkiye
Objectives: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) as a component of multimodal analgesia in patients undergoing open-heart surgery via median sternotomy.
Methods: This retrospective observational study included 10 ASA III patients undergoing open-heart surgery. All patients received bilateral ultrasound-guided SPSIPB with 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine per side. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at sternotomy and drain sites during the first 24 hours after extubation. Opioid consumption, rescue analgesia requirements, mechanical ventilation time, ICU and hospital length of stay, and postoperative complications were recorded.
Results: Mean resting and dynamic NRS scores remained low at both sternotomy and drain sites throughout the first 24 hours. Six patients required rescue analgesia, whereas four required none. No block-related complications were observed. Opioid consumption was limited, and patient satisfaction was high.
Conclusion: SPSIPB provided effective postoperative analgesia following open-heart surgery and appears to be a promising component of multimodal pain management strategies.
Keywords: Multimodal analgesia, open cardiac surgery, regional anesthesia, serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block
Manuscript Language: English