Regional Anesthesia Techniques for Breast Cancer Surgeries-A Narrative Review.

Abstract

Postoperative pain of breast cancer procedures can be debilitating and if not treated properly can lead to acute and chronic complications. Regional anesthesia techniques are very useful in providing adequate pain relief and can be applied either as a supplement to general anesthesia or surgical anesthesia in these surgeries. The application of ultrasound has revolutionized the field of regional anesthesia for breast cancer procedures, especially in the last decade. A thorough understanding of the application of each technique with precise knowledge of the sensory supply of the breast and axilla and the types of breast cancer surgeries can help us to choose the proper technique(s). In this article, the commonly used regional anesthesia techniques for breast cancer surgeries are discussed.