Evaluation of the Analgesic Efficacy of the Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Patients with Isolated Rib Fractures: A Case Series
Authors' conclusion
SPSIPB may provide effective and prolonged analgesia in patients with isolated rib fractures.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with unilateral isolated rib fractures followed in a thoracic surgery department, tertiary academic medical center
- Participants
- 17 adults
- Outcome
- Pain scores (NRS) before block and at multiple time points
- Follow-up
- Up to 36 hours
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Pain scores (NRS)
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores decreased significantly after block application and remained low in most patients, with a tendency to increase at 36 hours
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Opioid (tramadol) consumption during follow-up
- Patients requiring no opioid
- 9
- Patients consuming 50 mg tramadol
- 5
- Patients consuming 100 mg tramadol
- 3
- Rescue IV tramadol 50 mg when NRS ≥4
Dermatomal spread
- Predominantly between C5 and T8
Original publication
Evaluation of the Analgesic Efficacy of the Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Patients with Isolated Rib Fractures: A Case Series. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 27 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →