Locoregional anaesthesia as the principal technique for oncological breast surgery: a case series

Abstract

Oncological breast surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia and surgical interventions with locoregional blocks as the sole anaesthetic agent are rarely performed. We present a retrospective observational case series of 15 patients who underwent breast surgery under locoregional anaesthesia with perioperative sedation. Locoregional anaesthesia consisted of thoracic paravertebral or erector spinae blocks, combined with a pectoral nerve (PECS-2) block. Sedation was achieved with intravenous ketamine and midazolam. Thirteen cases were successful, two patients needed conversion to general anaesthesia. We conclude this is a feasible alternative anaesthetic approach for breast surgery in selected cases.