Effects of rhomboid-intercostal block on postoperative stress and opioid requirements in patients with breast cancer
Objective To investigate the effect of rhomboid-intercostal muscle block on postoperative stress and opioid de-mand in breast cancer patients.Methods A total of 60 breast cancer patients who planned to undergo breast-conserving surgery-axil-larydissection(BCS-AD)wereenrolled as research subjects.The patients were divided into PECS II group(n=30)and RIB group(n=30).The type II pectoral nerve block(PECS Ⅱ)was used in the PECS Ⅱ group,and the rhomboid intercostal block(RIB)was used for the RIB group.The pain scores,opioid requirement and incidence of block complications of the two groups of patients at rest and in motion at different time points after surgery were compared.Results The pain scores of patients in RIB group were lower than those in PECS Ⅱ group at different time points,but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).The demand for opi-oids in RIB group was higher than that in PECS Ⅱ group,but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion In the treatment of breast cancer BCS-AD,RIB is comparable to PECSⅡin reducing postoperative pain stress and opioid requirements,without increasing the incidence of postoperative blockade-related complications.