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Pectoralis Nerve Block

Editor: Sandeep Krishnan Updated: 7/25/2023 12:14:17 AM

Introduction

The pectoral nerve (Pecs) block I and II are a novel technique to block the pectoral nerves, intercostal nerves 3 to 6, intercostobrachial nerves and the long thoracic nerve. These blocks can be used to provide analgesia for a variety of anterior thoracic wall surgeries, most commonly breast surgery. The technique is simple for the clinician to perform and requires little or no sedation in the pre-operative holding area. Blanco et al. first described the Pecs I block in 2011 as a high volume interfascial block between the pectoralis major muscle and pectoralis minor muscle, targeting the lateral pectoral nerves.[1] In 2012, Blanco et al. described a second version of the Pecs block called modified Pecs block or Pecs II block. The Pecs II targets the interfacial plane between the pectoralis major muscle and the pectoralis minor muscle as does the Pecs I but also targets the interfacial plane between the pectoralis minor muscle and the serratus anterior muscle, aiming to block intercostal nerves 3 to 6, intercostobrachial and the long thoracic nerves, all of which are necessary for axillary node dissection.[2] A recent meta-analysis included 14 different randomized trials looking at Pecs II block versus paravertebral blocks and found no differences in opioid utilization or pain scores between the groups in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Also, Pecs II blocks were found to be non-inferior to paravertebral blocks when looking at 24-hour morphine utilization and pain intensity following surgery. When compared to systemic analgesia only, both were superior.[3][4][5][6][7]

Anatomy and Physiology

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Anatomy and Physiology

A Pecs I block requires an interfascial injection of local anesthetic between the pectoralis major muscle and pectoralis minor muscle at the level of the third rib to block both the medial pectoral nerve and lateral pectoral nerve. Utilizing ultrasound, the major landmarks visualized are the pectoralis major muscle, pectoralis minor muscle, and the thoracoacromial artery (pectoral branch).

The Pecs II block is a modified Pecs I block and can be achieved using a single needle stick. Local anesthetic placement is between the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor as for a Pecs I block and then between pectoralis minor and serratus anterior. The second portion of the procedure will block the anterior cutaneous branches of intercostal nerves 3 to 6, the intercostobrachial nerves, and the long thoracic nerve. The main landmarks to identify under US guidance are the pectoralis major muscle, pectoralis minor muscle, serratus anterior, and the thoracoacromial artery (pectoral branch).

Indications

The Pecs I and II blocks can be useful in delivering regional analgesia for a wide variety of surgical procedures including insertion of breast expanders and submuscular prostheses, ports, pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, anterior thoracotomies, anterior shoulder surgery, tumor resection, mastectomies, sentinel node biopsy, and axillary dissection.[8][9][10]

Contraindications

Patient refusal or infection at the site of injection are absolute contraindications to performing a Pecs block.

Anticoagulation may be a relative contraindication to Pecs block I and II, although there are no specific guidelines. The 2018 ASRA consensus statement does not specifically address Pecs blocks and anticoagulation.

Equipment

  • Chlorhexidine gluconate
  • Sterile gloves
  • High-frequency linear ultrasound probe with sterile probe cover and gel
  • 22G regional block needle, 50 to 100 mm
  • Pecs Block local anesthetic solution (0.25% bupivacaine or 0.5% ropivacaine 20 to 40 ml)
  • Epidural catheter (optional)

Personnel

An anesthesiologist with regional anesthesia and ultrasound experience is preferred. An additional assistant, nurse, or physician, should be available to assist.

Preparation

An informed consent, including risks and benefits of the procedure, should be performed before the procedure.

A procedure timeout should be performed to confirm procedure type, location, and to confirm there are no contraindications to the procedure.

Standard patient monitoring should be utilized, including continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. Intravenous access should be established in advance of the procedure. Resuscitation equipment, including medications for treating local anesthetic toxicity and equipment for intubation, should readily available.

The surgical staff should prep the patient with chlorhexidine gluconate, and sterility maintained for the duration of the procedure. All staff should wear a mask, surgical cap, and sterile gloves. A sterile ultrasound probe cover is also necessary during imaging. 

Technique or Treatment

The Pecs I block is performed with the patient supine, with the patient's arm next to the body or abducted 90 degrees. The coracoid process is located on ultrasound in the paramedian sagittal plane. The caudal border of the transducer can then be rotated laterally to allow for an in-plane needle trajectory. This rotation also allows for visualization of the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery. The correct interfascial plane is confirmed by the opening of the space between the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. The recommended volume is 0.2 mL/kg of a 0.25% bupivacaine or 0.5% ropivacaine.

The Pecs II block is performed with the patient in the same position as the Pecs I block. The first injection is identical to a Pecs I block, whereas the second injection is made at the level of the fourth rib. The transducer is placed at the midclavicular line and angled inferolaterally to visualize the axillary artery, axillary vein, and second rib. The transducer is then moved laterally until the pectoralis minor muscle, and serratus anterior muscle are identified. The transducer is then moved further laterally so the third and fourth rib can then be identified. The local anesthetic is then deposited in two separate interfascial places. The first injection of approximately 0.2 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine or 0.5% ropivacaine is deposited between the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. The needle then gets advanced using ultrasound guidance, and the second injection of 0.2 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine or 0.5% ropivacaine is made between the pectoralis minor and serratus anterior. The depth is usually 1 to 3 cm for the interfascial plane between the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor,  and 3 to 6 cm for the interfascial plane between the pectoralis minor and serratus anterior.

The local anesthetic for the blocks should be injected in 5 cc increments, with aspiration after each 5 cc to avoid intravascular injection. Catheters can be placed in the interfascial planes if prolonged postoperative pain is expected. Approximately 10 cm of the catheter should be advanced into the space to avoid inadvertent dislodgement of the catheter. The last 10cc can be injected through the catheter to confirm that the catheter is correctly positioned and not intravascular.

The Pecs II block is also possible by targeting the deeper interfascial plane first, injecting between the pectoralis minor and serratus anterior, then withdrawing the needle to the more superficial interfacial plane, injecting between the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor.

Complications

Complications are rare with the use of ultrasound guidance, as the pleura and major blood vessels are visible throughout the procedure.

The most common complications are pneumothorax, infection, local anesthetic toxicity/allergy, vascular puncture, and failed block.

Clinical Significance

The Pecs block is a newer regional anesthetic that can provide analgesia for chest wall surgery, potentially avoiding more invasive procedures such as paravertebral blockade. Pecs blocks have been used by anesthesiologists to provide analgesia for many procedures ranging from port placement to radical mastectomies.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Pecs blocks are most often performed in the preoperative period but can be placed postoperatively as well. Pecs blocks are placed by anesthesiologists, anesthesiology residents, or nurse anesthetists. A peri-operative nurse should be present throughout the procedure to assist with the procedure timeout, patient positioning, and monitoring. A proper timeout includes verifying the procedure performed, side of procedure, allergies, and any potential contraindications to performing the procedure. During the procedure, sterility is an absolute necessity. Resuscitation equipment and medication must be readily accessible in case of emergency. If using sedation, then a dedicated nurse should monitor the patient for the duration of the procedure.

Post-operatively, nursing should continue to monitor the patients and should be made aware of potential complications post-procedure, including bleeding, local anesthetic toxicity, and pneumothorax. This appraoch exemplifies the interprofessional team paradigm that is most likely to deliver positive patient results. [Level V]

Nursing, Allied Health, and Interprofessional Team Interventions

The nursing staff has a crucial role during the procedure preparation, procedure, and post-procedure monitoring. Before block placement, nursing staff should assist in the procedural timeout, which includes verifying allergies, procedure, laterality, and contraindications to the procedure. During the procedure, nursing staff should monitor the patient’s vital signs along with the level of sedation, if utilized. The nurse can assist with the patient position before and throughout the procedure. After the procedure, the nurse should watch for complications such as local anesthetic toxicity, pneumothorax, and bleeding. Nurses can also monitor the analgesia provided by the block and catheter if utilized.

Nursing, Allied Health, and Interprofessional Team Monitoring

The peri-operative nurse will monitor the patient during placement of the Pecs block. Continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure require monitoring during the entire peri-procedural period. If using sedation for the procedure, the peri-operative nurse can also help to monitor the patient's level of consciousness and breathing. Post-operatively, the peri-operative nurse will monitor the patient with continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure (at 5-minute intervals at least), but will monitor the patient's post-operative pain scores as well. If pain is severe, the anesthesiologist can give local anesthetic solution through the catheter (if catheter placed) with the local anesthetic solution as needed, or the decision can be made to give intravenous medications to manage the patient's post-operative pain. 

Media


(Click Image to Enlarge)
Pectoralis nerve block
Pectoralis nerve block
Image courtesy O.Chaigasame

References


[1]

Blanco R. The 'pecs block': a novel technique for providing analgesia after breast surgery. Anaesthesia. 2011 Sep:66(9):847-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2011.06838.x. Epub     [PubMed PMID: 21831090]

Level 3 (low-level) evidence

[2]

Blanco R,Fajardo M,Parras Maldonado T, Ultrasound description of Pecs II (modified Pecs I): a novel approach to breast surgery. Revista espanola de anestesiologia y reanimacion. 2012 Nov;     [PubMed PMID: 22939099]


[3]

Hussain N,Brull R,McCartney CJL,Wong P,Kumar N,Essandoh M,Sawyer T,Sullivan T,Abdallah FW, Pectoralis-II Myofascial Block and Analgesia in Breast Cancer Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Anesthesiology. 2019 Sep;     [PubMed PMID: 31408448]

Level 1 (high-level) evidence

[4]

Bashandy GM, Abbas DN. Pectoral nerves I and II blocks in multimodal analgesia for breast cancer surgery: a randomized clinical trial. Regional anesthesia and pain medicine. 2015 Jan-Feb:40(1):68-74. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000163. Epub     [PubMed PMID: 25376971]

Level 1 (high-level) evidence

[5]

Kulhari S,Bharti N,Bala I,Arora S,Singh G, Efficacy of pectoral nerve block versus thoracic paravertebral block for postoperative analgesia after radical mastectomy: a randomized controlled trial. British journal of anaesthesia. 2016 Sep;     [PubMed PMID: 27543533]

Level 1 (high-level) evidence

[6]

Versyck B, van Geffen GJ, Van Houwe P. Prospective double blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of the pectoral nerves (Pecs) block type II. Journal of clinical anesthesia. 2017 Aug:40():46-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2017.03.054. Epub 2017 Apr 19     [PubMed PMID: 28625445]

Level 1 (high-level) evidence

[7]

O'Scanaill P, Keane S, Wall V, Flood G, Buggy DJ. Single-shot pectoral plane (PECs I and PECs II) blocks versus continuous local anaesthetic infusion analgesia or both after non-ambulatory breast-cancer surgery: a prospective, randomised, double-blind trial. British journal of anaesthesia. 2018 Apr:120(4):846-853. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2017.11.112. Epub 2018 Feb 14     [PubMed PMID: 29576125]

Level 1 (high-level) evidence

[8]

Purcell N, Wu D. Novel use of the PECS II block for upper limb fistula surgery. Anaesthesia. 2014 Nov:69(11):1294. doi: 10.1111/anae.12876. Epub     [PubMed PMID: 25302976]

Level 3 (low-level) evidence

[9]

Fujiwara A, Komasawa N, Minami T. Pectoral nerves (PECS) and intercostal nerve block for cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation. SpringerPlus. 2014:3():409. doi: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-409. Epub 2014 Aug 5     [PubMed PMID: 25120950]


[10]

Kaushal B,Chauhan S,Saini K,Bhoi D,Bisoi AK,Sangdup T,Khan MA, Comparison of the Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block, Pectoral Nerves II Block, and Intercostal Nerve Block for the Management of Postoperative Thoracotomy Pain After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia. 2019 Feb;     [PubMed PMID: 30293833]