The analgesic efficacy of pectoral nerve block for breast augmentation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

Background: Many patients suffered from serious pain after breast augmentation, but the analgesic efficacy of pectoral nerve block for these patients was not well established. Thus, this meta-analysis was intended to study the analgesic efficacy of pectoral nerve block for breast augmentation.

Methods: Several databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were searched, and we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the analgesic efficacy of pectoral nerve block for breast augmentation.

Results: Six RCTs were ultimately included in this meta-analysis. Compared with control intervention for breast augmentation, pectoral nerve block could significantly reduce pain scores at 1 h (mean difference [MD] = -2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -3.71 to -0.85; P = 0.002), 2 h (MD = -3.08; 95% CI = -3.95 to -2.20; P < 0.00001), 4 h (MD = -2.95; 95% CI = -3.32 to -2.58; P < 0.00001), 6-8 h (MD = -2.68; 95% CI = -3.24 to -2.11; P < 0.00001), 24 h (MD = -2.04; 95% CI = -2.41 to -1.67; P < 0.00001), the number of analgesic requirement (odd ratio [OR] = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.45; P = 0.0001), and the incidence of nausea (OR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.54; P = 0.001) and vomiting (OR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.39; P = 0.0001).  Conclusions: Pectoral nerve block may be effective for pain relief after breast augmentation.