Aufforth, R., Jain, J., Morreale, J., Baumgarten, R., Falk, J., & Wesen, C. (2012). Paravertebral blocks in breast cancer surgery: Is there a difference in postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting? Annals of Surgical Oncology, 19(2), 548–552.
To evaluate the effect of paravertebral blocks on the postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting of patients undergoing breast cancer surgery with or without axillary staging
Chart review
Retrospective chart review
In patients who had undergone breast cancer surgery, PVB had no effect on postoperative pain, nausea, or vomiting.
This study indicated that PVB might decrease postoperative pain in breast cancer surgery patients with immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expanders. PVB may have an important role in decreasing postoperative pain and opioid analgesic usage in patients electing to have immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expanders.