• David D Rivedal, Harry S Nayar, Jacqueline S Israel, Glen Leverson, Andrew J Schulz, Tamara Chambers, Ahmed M Afifi, Jocelyn M Blake, and Samuel O Poore.
• Division of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, G5/347 Clinical Science Center, Madison, Wisconsin.
• J. Surg. Res. 2018 Aug 1; 228: 307-313.

BackgroundIn light of data finding that postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting worsen outcomes, a renewed emphasis has been placed on optimizing the perioperative period. Use of preoperative paravertebral block (PVB) has been shown to reduce opioid administration and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in many surgical populations, though its role in reduction mammaplasty remains undefined. Therefore, we seek to evaluate PVB as an adjunct to general anesthesia (GA) for reduction mammaplasty.Materials And MethodsWe reviewed records for patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty at our institution from 2010 to 2015. Patients were categorized into two groups: GA alone and GA + PVB (GA with PVB adjunct). Demographic information, opioid administration, phase I/II pain scores, presence of PONV, and anesthesia time were analyzed. Analysis was performed using t-tests and Fisher's exact test, with P-values less than 0.05 statistically significant.ResultsWe identified 264 patients meeting criteria: 209 (79%) received GA alone and 55 (21%) received GA + PVB. Intraoperative opioid administration were lower for GA + PVB patients (morphine equivalent of 44 mg versus 35 mg, P = 0.019), though there was no difference in postoperative opioid administration (P = 0.915). Phase I and II pain scores were significantly lower for those receiving PVB (2.9 versus 3.9, P = 0.012, and 3.0 versus 4.2, P = 0.001, respectively). GA + PVB was associated with less PONV (14% versus 33%, P = 0.007) and longer anesthesia times (271 min versus 236 min; P = 0.001).ConclusionsBy improving pain control and reducing PONV, factors known to be associated with poor patient satisfaction and inferior outcomes, PVB is an attractive anesthetic adjunct in elective breast surgery.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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