Efficacy of Parasternal Blocks in Cardiovascular Surgery Patients Undergoing Median Sternotomy

postoperative chronic pain

Acute and chronic pain after cardiac surgery is a common problem that negatively affects
 quality of life. Postoperative pain after cardiac surgery is most intense in the first two
 days and decreases in the following period. However, postoperative pain with incomplete
 management in the acute period may become chronic. This may negatively affect the patient's
 quality of life. Although central blocks such as thoracic epidural and paravertebral blocks
 are considered the gold standard in analgesia control, the advantages of thoracic plan
 blocks, which are more superficial due to peroperative heparinisation; coagulation disorders;
 and procedural difficulties, are undeniable. Thoracic plane blocks, which can also be used in
 patients receiving anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy, have recently been used for
 acute pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thoracic plane blocks on
 extubation time, pain scores, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays in patients
 undergoing median sternotomy.