Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Plane Block for Treatment of Postmastectomy Pain Syndromes in Breast Cancer Patients: A Case Series.

TitleUltrasound-Guided Serratus Plane Block for Treatment of Postmastectomy Pain Syndromes in Breast Cancer Patients: A Case Series.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsZocca JA, Chen GH, Puttanniah VG, Hung JC, Gulati A
JournalPain Pract
Volume17
Issue1
Pagination141-146
Date Published2017 Jan
ISSN1533-2500
Abstract

Postmastectomy pain syndrome is common after surgical treatment for breast cancer and may be challenging to manage. Currently, there are a wide variety of approaches to treat this type of pain, including medications, physical therapy, and interventional procedures. However, because of the complexity of innervation of the breast, the serratus plane block may better target the web of nerves innervating the anterior chest wall including the breast. We present a case series of 8 patients who were successfully treated with serratus plane block for pain after treatment for breast cancer. We feel that this particular application for the serratus plane block deserves further investigation, as it is relatively easy to perform and has good clinical utility for this type of pain.

DOI10.1111/papr.12482
Alternate JournalPain Pract
PubMed ID27587333