Abstract
The most common form of cancer in the female population is a malignant breast neoplasm. On average, one in every eight women will be diagnosed with this form of cancer in their lifetime. Furthermore, breast augmentation procedures are the most common surgical procedure for the female population. Therefore, each year, thousands of women undergo breast surgery for numerous reasons, whether it be necessary or voluntary. Postoperative pain is common, leading to secondary sequela and the potential for a decreased quality of life. The persistent pain patients experience following breast surgery is a primary complaint; it can lead to secondary sequela such as decreased recovery times, increased opioid consumption, reduced range of motion, and ultimately a diminished quality of life. The consideration of regional techniques as part of the anesthesia and analgesia regimen stems from the desire to minimize the risk of long-term pain following any breast procedure. Therefore, a combined general and regional anesthesia technique is routinely implemented in these surgical procedures. Various truncal blocks have been tested with breast procedures; however, there is abundant application of paravertebral blocks (PVBs) and pectoralis II (PECS II) fascial plane blocks. Based on a synthesis of the literature, it should be considered best practice to perform a regional nerve block on patients undergoing breast surgery to provide analgesia, amongst various other benefits, including the prevention of chronic pain and development of post-mastectomy pain syndrome and decreased opioid consumption.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
DNP Capstone Project
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Case Study/Series
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Paravertebral Blocks, Pectoralis Blocks, Analgesia Adjuncts Breast Surgery
Advisor
Maria Ledbetter
Second Advisor
Maria Ledbetter
Degree
DNP
Degree Grantor
Samford University
Degree Year
2025
Recommended Citation
Chisenhall, Jessica Compton and Ledbetter, Maria, "Postoperative Pain Management and Breast Surgery" (2025). Group: Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing. 179.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/samford/179
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
None: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Full Text of Presentation
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