Pectointercostal Fascial Block (PIFB) as a Novel Technique for Postoperative Pain Management in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of pectointercostal fascial block in relieving postoperative pain in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN Single-blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING Single-center tertiary care teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total 40 participants undergoing cardiac surgery aged 18 to 80 years. INTERVENTIONS Subjects were categorized into 2 groups of 20 each. In group 2 participants (interventional group), bilateral pectointercostal fascial block was given using ropivacaine injection 0.25% after completion of surgery, before shifting to the intensive care unit. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Postoperative pain was measured after extubation at 0, 3, 6, and 12 hours, using a numeric rating scale. Pain in group 2 was significantly less and lasted for a longer duration than in group 1. Fentanyl requirement was significantly higher in group 1 (1.06 ± 0.12 µ/kg) than in group 2 (0.82 ± 0.19 µ/kg). CONCLUSIONS Pectointercostal fascial block is an easy and efficient technique to reduce postoperative pain after cardiac surgery.

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