Effects of ultrasound-guided nerve block combined with PCIA analgesia on postoperative pain, inflammatory response, hospital stay, and adverse reactions in breast cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ultrasound-guided combined nerve block with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) on postoperative pain, inflammatory response, hospital stay, and adverse reactions in breast cancer surgery.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 100 patients undergoing radical mastectomy for breast cancer were randomly assigned to two groups. The combined group received ultrasound-guided thoracic nerve block with PCIA, while the PCIA group received PCIA alone. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores for pain were assessed postoperatively at intervals, and levels of inflammatory response markers (IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP) were compared before and after surgery. Analgesic efficacy, sufentanil dosage, hospitalization conditions, and safety profiles were recorded.

RESULTS

The combined group exhibited significantly lower VAS scores for resting and active pain at various postoperative time points compared to the PCIA group. Inflammatory markers at 48h post-surgery were notably lower in the combined group. Sufentanil consumption, analgesia pump use, rescue analgesia rate, and duration of effective pain relief were all improved in the combined group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided nerve block combined with PCIA effectively reduced analgesia pump usage, alleviated postoperative pain, and suppressed inflammatory marker expression. However, it showed minimal impact on hospital stay and adverse reactions, making it a promising strategy for postoperative pain management in breast cancer surgery.