Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Dose-Matched Parasternal Intercostal Plane Block With or Without Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Analgesia Following Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Observer-Blinded Trial
Authors' conclusion
Combining the SAPB with the PIP block does not further reduce sternotomy-related pain; however, it significantly decreases postoperative opioid consumption by effectively controlling drain-related pain.
Study context
- Population
- Adults scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) via median sternotomy with bilateral thoracic drainsanalysed
- Participants
- 72 adults
- Comparison
- Parasternal intercostal plane (PIP) block + serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) vs PIP block alone
- PIPn = 37reference
- PIP-SAPBn = 35
- Primary endpoint
- Total tramadol consumption
- Follow-up
- First 24 hours after extubation
Methodological detailsprospective, observer-blinded, dose-matched, single-centre
- Prospective
- Observer-blinded
- Dose-matched
- Single-centre
Primary result
Tramadol consumption
Hodges-Lehmann median difference
150 mg
95% CI 80–220
P < 0.001
By group
PIP-SAPB vs PIP
Hodges-Lehmann median difference 150 mg (95% CI 80–220); P < 0.001
As reported in the abstract
Further findings
NRS pain scores, sternotomy site
- Similar between groups
NRS pain scores, thoracic drain site
- Significantly lower in the PIP-SAPB group
Original publication
Dose-Matched Parasternal Intercostal Plane Block With or Without Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Analgesia Following Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Observer-Blinded Trial. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 20 May 2026. doi:10.
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