Clinical trial · Observational
Chronic Pain in Post-Mastectomy Patients; The Difference Between Pectoral Nerve (PECS I-II) and Erector Spinal Plane (ESP) Blocks
Chronic Pain in Mastectomy Patients; The Difference Between Pectoral Nerve Block (PECS I-II) and Erector Spinal Plane (ESP) Block
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
This study looks at two types of injections (called PECS and ESP blocks) to see which one works better for reducing pain after breast cancer surgery (mastectomy). The main question it asks is: Which block is better at reducing pain after surgery - PECS or ESP? Women who had this surgery and received one of the two blocks were followed for three months. We looked at how much pain they felt, how much pain medication they needed, and whether they still had pain months later. The results showed that both blocks helped with pain right after surgery. The ESP block lasted a little longer at first, but in general, both groups needed about the same amount of pain medicine. Three months later, about half of the patients still had some pain - especially those who had more extensive surgery or had nerve pain early on. There was no big difference between the two blocks when it came to long-term pain.
Conditions
Conditions (10)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer Surgery | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Erector Spine Plane Block | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Mastectomy | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Neuropathic Pain | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Pectoral Nerve (PECS) Block | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Post-mastectomy Pain Syndrome | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Postoperative Pain, Acute | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Postoperative Pain, Chronic | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Quality of Life (QOL) | — | UNRESOLVED |
Interventions
Interventions (0)
Data not yet available
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (2)
- label
- PECS I-II Block Group
- description
- This group includes patients who received an ultrasound-guided pectoral nerve block (PECS I-II) before undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). PECS I involved the injection of 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine between the pectoralis major and minor muscles. PECS II involved the injection of 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine between the pectoralis minor and serratus anterior muscles. The block was applied preoperatively at the discretion of the responsible anesthesiologist, independently from the study protocol. Postoperative pain scores, opioid requirements, and chronic pain development were evaluated.
- label
- ESP Block Group
- description
- This group includes patients who received an ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block before undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). The block was administered at the T4-T5 level, with 20-30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine injected between the erector spinae muscle and the transverse process. The procedure was performed in the lateral decubitus position and verified via hydrodissection. The decision to perform this block was made independently by the anesthesiologist. Pain scores and analgesic use were tracked to assess the block's effect on acute and chronic postoperative pain.
Primary outcomes (1)
- measure
- Incidence of Chronic Postoperative Pain (NRS ≥1)
- timeFrame
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- Female
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
- Maximum age
- 65 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: * Scheduled to undergo modified radical mastectomy due to breast cancer * Decision to perform PECS I-II or ESP block made independently from the study, as part of standard pain management * Aged between 18 and 65 years * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification I or II * Female Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to perform the block (e.g., coagulation disorder, allergy to local anesthetics, infection at the injection site) * Obesity (Body Mass Index \> 35 kg/m²) * Pre-existing neurological deficits * Younger than 18 or older than 65 years * ASA physical status classification III or IV * Refusal to give informed consent
References
Publications (17)
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