Effect of Pectoral Nerve Block on Post-op Pain in Patients Undergoing Mastectomy and Immediate Reconstruction

Pectoral Nerve Block vs. Standard Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Mastectomy and Immediate Breast Reconstruction: Impact on Post-operative Pain and Nausea/Vomiting

Patients undergoing total mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction with a tissue expander or implant under general anesthesia will be randomly assigned to the addition of a pectoral nerve block or no regional block. Post-operative pain, nausea/vomiting scores will be assessed.

Patients undergoing total mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction with a tissue expander or implant under general anesthesia will be randomly assigned to the addition of a pectoral nerve block or no regional block after induction of general anesthesia and prior to the start of surgery. Post-operative pain scores and post-operative pain medication usage will be recorded. Post-operative nausea/vomiting scores and post-op anti-emetic medication usage will be recorded. The clinical impact of pectoral nerve block on this expanding population of patients will be determined.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients age 18-90 years old

2. Subjects able to read and understand the informed consent

3. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II

4. Subjects scheduled to undergo unilateral or bilateral mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction with submuscular placement of tissue expander or permanent implant under general anesthesia, including:

   • subjects diagnosed with breast cancer
   • subjects diagnosed with atypia or other high risk proliferative breast disease
   • subjects with a family history who are considered at high risk for breast cancer (including those with hereditary or genetic predisposition)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects unable to read or understand the informed consent
2. ASA physical status III or IV
3. Subjects with an allergy to local anesthetic
4. Subjects with a medical contraindication to regional anesthetic, such as coagulopathy or local infection
5. Subjects with a pre-existing submuscular implant
6. Subjects scheduled to undergo mastectomy with myocutaneous flap reconstruction
7. Subjects scheduled to undergo mastectomy without immediate reconstruction
8. Subjects with a history of chronic pain or chronic opioid use