Background: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is the most common surgery for cancer breast that is associated with marked postoperative pain. Effective control of this pain suppresses the surgical stress response and decreases the opioids and general anesthetics’ needs. This study compared the erector spinae plane (ESP) block and the pectoral plane (PECS) block effects on the opioid consumption postoperatively, stress response, fentanyl needs intraoperatively, pain scores, and incidence of complications in female patients subjected to MRM surgery. Patients and Methods: Fifty patients were allocated randomly and divided into two groups. Forty-seven patients were included in the final analysis after exclusion. ESP block group (E group, n = 24) received 20 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine plus 0.5 μ/kg dexmedetomidine that was injected in-between erector spinae muscle and transverse process. PECS block group ( P group, n = 23) received 30 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine plus 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine divided into 10 mL that was injected between the two pectoralis muscles in the interfascial plane and the other was 20 mL injected between the serratus anterior and the pectoralis minor. Results: Postoperative morphine consumption and stress hormone level in P group were significantly lower than E group. The pain scores and number of patients requested analgesic postoperatively showed significantly higher values in E group. Hemodynamic parameters, fentanyl needed intraoperatively and the incidence of postoperative complications recorded no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that PECS block provides better quality of analgesia than ESP block in patients subjected to MRM operations.

BackgroundTumescent mastectomy refers to usage of a mixture of lidocaine and epinephrine in a diluting saline solution that makes flaps firm and tense, thus minimizing systemic drugs toxicity and making surgery possible with minimal bleeding. This technique is very useful in elder women and those with American Society of Anesthesiologists; score III and IV. The objective was to establish an alternative safe technique to general anesthesia in some selected mastectomy patients.Patients and methodsTwenty candidate women for total mastectomy and axillary dissection were enrolled and consented to participate. After preparation, an anatomically directed infiltration was made under sedation, using a cocktail of lidocaine, bupivacaine, and epinephrine, followed after 20 minutes by the surgical incision and completion of mastectomy. All intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were recorded.ResultsAlthough 7 cases required added analgesic medications, no conversion for general anesthesia was recorded. Mean operative time was 81±15.8 minutes. Mean blood loss was 95.8±47.5 mL. There was no recorded intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Postoperative visual analog score was not exceeding 4 till the end of the first 24 hours. Opioids were not required in any case, and the mean dosage of Ketorolac used was 30±8.75 mg. Drains output and the incidence of postoperative complications were acceptable.ConclusionWe can consider tumescent mastectomy in well-selected patients a safe alternative for performing mastectomy when general anesthesia is hazardous, with minimal blood loss and long lasting postoperative analgesia without an additive effect on the operative time, hospital stay, and intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Background: Laparoscopic hysterectomy operations especially for obese patients necessitate Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide, which could affect cardiac and pulmonary functions. The present study aimed to compare the impact of pressure-controlled ventilation with volume-guaranteed (PCV-VG) and volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) with equal ratio ventilation (ERV), i.e., I: E ratio of 1:1 on hemodynamics, respiratory mechanics, and oxygenation. Patients and Methods: Eighty females with body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m 2 and with physical status American Society of Anesthesiologists Classes I and II undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy were allocated randomly to either PCV-VG (Group P) or VCV with ERV (Group V). The ventilation parameters, hemodynamics, and arterial blood gases (ABGs) analysis were recorded at four times: (T 1 ): after the anesthetic induction while in supine position by 10 min, (T 2 and T 3 ): after the CO2 pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg positioning by 30 and 60 min, respectively, and (T 4 ): after desufflation and resuming the supine position. Results: The peak inspiratory pressure in Group P recorded significant lower values than in Group V while the dynamic compliance was greater significantly in Group P than in Group V. No significant differences were reported as regards the ABG analysis, oxygenation, and hemodynamic data between both groups. Conclusion: In obese females undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy surgeries, PCV-VG was superior to VCV with ERV as it provided higher dynamic compliance and lower peak inspiratory pressure that could be preferable, especially in those patients in whom cardiopulmonary function could be more susceptible to impairment.

No abstract

No abstract