Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40237009›Full record

ArticlePlastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open2025

Regional Anesthesia and Postoperative Opioid Use in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Matthew J Heron, Katherine J Zhu, Sami Alahmadi, Isabel A Snee, Lily Zhu, Alexandra J Davis, Alec J Chen, Ala Elhelali, Lily R Mundy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Matthew J HeronFrom the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and.
Katherine J ZhuFrom the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and.
Sami AlahmadiDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.
Isabel A SneeDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.
Lily ZhuFrom the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and.
Alexandra J DavisFrom the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and.
Alec J ChenFrom the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and.
Ala ElhelaliFrom the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and.
Lily R MundyFrom the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Nerve and fascial plane blocks are common components of early recovery after surgery protocols for autologous breast reconstruction, but there is mixed data regarding their efficacy. This study evaluated the association between regional anesthesia and postoperative opioid use, patient-reported pain, length of stay (LOS), and duration of surgery. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of articles on regional anesthesia in autologous breast reconstruction and a dual extraction of outcomes. Data of interest included total, 24-hour, and 48-hour opioid use (intravenous [IV] morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs]), patient-reported pain, and length of surgery and stay. We performed meta-analyses with random effects models for mean difference (MD). Results: We included 21 studies for analysis. Total opioid use was reduced among patients who received regional anesthesia (MD = -10.28 IV MMEs, ~3 oxycodone 5-mg equivalents, Conclusions: Regional anesthesia was associated with a statistically but not clinically significant reduction in total postoperative opioid use and LOS following autologous breast reconstruction. Total opioid use was not significantly different when considering only randomized controlled trial data.

Identifiers

PMID40237009
PMCPMC11999404

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.