Published online Jul 6, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i19.3717
Revised: April 25, 2024
Accepted: May 22, 2024
Published online: July 6, 2024
Processing time: 121 Days and 1.7 Hours
The serratus anterior muscle, located in the lateral aspect of the thorax, plays a crucial role in shoulder movement and stability. Thoracoscopic surgery, while minimally invasive, often results in significant postoperative pain, complicating patient recovery and potentially extending hospital stays. Traditional anesthesia methods may not adequately address this pain, leading to increased complications such as agitation due to inadequate pain management.
To evaluate the application value of ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery, focusing on its effects on postoperative analgesia and rehabilitation.
Eighty patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery between August 2021 and December 2022 were randomly divided into two groups: An observation group receiving ultrasound-guided SAPB and a control group receiving standard care without SAPB. Both groups underwent general anesthesia and were monitored for blood pressure, heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, and pulse. The primary outcomes measured included mean arterial pressure (MAP), HR, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, supplemental analgesic use, and incidence of agitation.
The observation group showed significantly lower cortisol and glucose concentrations at various time points post-operation compared to the control group, indicating reduced stress responses. Moreover, MAP and HR levels were lower in the observation group during and after surgery. VAS scores were significantly lower in the observation group at 1 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 12 h post-surgery, and the rates of analgesic supplementation and agitation were significantly reduced compared to the control group.
Ultrasound-guided SAPB significantly improves postoperative analgesia and reduces agitation in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. This technique stabilizes perioperative vital signs, decreases the need for supplemental analgesics, and minimizes postoperative pain and stress responses, underscoring its high application value in enhancing patient recovery and rehabilitation post-thoracoscopy.
Core Tip: This study evaluates the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in enhancing postoperative analgesia and facilitating rehabilitation in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. The research highlights the SAPB's potential to significantly reduce postoperative pain, agitation, and supplemental analgesic use, thereby stabilizing perioperative vital signs and reducing stress responses. These findings suggest that SAPB could be a valuable addition to thoracoscopic surgery anesthesia protocols, offering benefits in patient comfort and recovery outcomes.