Efficacy and Clinical Utility of Pectoral Nerve Blocks in Thoracic Surgery: A Narrative Review

Sven Katalinić; Ivana Haršanji Drenjančević; Hrvoje Vinković; Dino Budrovac; Sonja Škiljić; Gordana Kristek

doi:10.26332/sjrdts35

Authors

Sven Katalinić Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia Author
Ivana Haršanji Drenjančević Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia Author
Hrvoje Vinković Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia Author
Dino Budrovac Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia Author
Sonja Škiljić Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia Author
Gordana Kristek Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26332/sjrdts35

Keywords:

nerve block, thoracic surgical procedures, thoracic surgery, video-assisted, anesthesia, conduction, pain, postoperative

Abstract

Postoperative pain remains a major challenge after thoracic surgery, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Although thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) are established components of multimodal analgesia for thoracic surgery, both carry limitations and side effects. The pectoral nerve block II (PECS II) provides anterolateral chest wall analgesia, offering a potential alternative for selected thoracic procedures. However, most clinical data on PECS blocks derive from breast and cardiac surgery, while evidence in thoracic and pulmonary surgery remains limited. This narrative review summarizes the current efficacy, clinical utility, and limitations of PECS blocks in thoracic surgery.