Serratus anterior plane block for minimal invasive heart surgery

BackgroundMinimal invasive heart surgery (MIHS) presents several benefits, but provides intense and prolonged post-operative pain. Our objective was to compare efficacy of serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) with continuous wound infiltration (CWI) for management of post-operative pain following MIHS.MethodsIt's retrospective, monocentric study between November 2016 to April 2017. The study was performed at the University hospital of Dijon, Burgundy, France. All patients scheduled for MIHS was included. Data was collected retrospectively. During this period, 20 patients had SAPB and 26 had CWI. SAPB was performed before extubation with a single injection of 0.5mg/kg of ropivacaine (5mg/ml). In the CWI group, catheter was inserted in the subcutaneous space by the surgeon at the end of the procedure. A 10ml bolus of ropivacaine (7.5mg/mL) was followed by a continuous infusion (2mg/ml) between 7 and 12ml/h for 48h. Morphine consumption and visual analog score (VAS) were recorded for 48h. Length of stay in intensive care unit and hospital was also collected.ResultsMorphine consumption and VAS score were significantly lower in SAPB group (p<0.01). Length of stay in intensive care and hospital was significantly was decreased in SAPB group.ConclusionSAPB appears effective in reducing postoperative MIHS pain.