Effects of erector spinae plane block on postoperative pain in patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction for breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial.
Ann MedSep 2, 2026 (epub)
Dandan Ling, Shiyou Wei, Qianping He et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of a single-shot T5 erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on postoperative pain in 100 adults undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction. The study found that while ESPB did not significantly reduce resting pain at 6 hours, it was associated with lower pain scores at multiple time points and reduced opioid consumption at 24 and 48 hours.
Key findings
- No significant reduction in resting pain at 6 hours (adjusted difference -0.9; p = 0.08).
- Lower pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 hours (all p < 0.01).
- Opioid use decreased by 13.5 mg at 24 hours and 6.6 mg at 48 hours (both p < 0.01).
- Quality of recovery improved by 5 points at 24 hours (p < 0.01).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that erector spinae plane blocks may enhance postoperative pain management and reduce opioid consumption, which is crucial for improving recovery outcomes in patients undergoing breast reconstruction.