Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41457202›Full record

ReviewCurrent pain and headache reports2025

Clinical Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block for Pain Management After Breast Surgeries: A Narrative Review.

Grant C Curry, Nikhita R Kichili, Raheem H Kazmi, Benjamin P Katzenmeyer, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Jibin Mathew, Sahar Shekoohi, Matthew R Eng, Alan D Kaye

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Current pain and headache reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Review
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.

Grant C CurrySchool of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
Nikhita R KichiliSchool of Medicine, Medical Branch, The University of Texas, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
Raheem H KazmiSchool of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
Benjamin P KatzenmeyerSchool of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
Shahab AhmadzadehDepartment of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
Jibin MathewDepartment of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
Sahar ShekoohiDepartment of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA. sahar.shekoohi@lsuhs.edu.
Matthew R EngDepartment of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
Alan D KayeDepartments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neurosciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purpose of reviewThis narrative review explores the role of the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) as an alternative strategy for managing acute and chronic pain following breast surgeries. The focus is on its potential to reduce opioid consumption and the incidence of postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS), which remain significant postoperative concerns.

methodsA structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, and ScienceDirect using keywords including: Erector Spinae Plane Block, ESPB, postoperative analgesia, opioid reduction, breast surgery, mastectomy, and postmastectomy pain syndrome. Studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series published within the last 10 years. The quality of evidence was assessed based on study design, sample size, and reported outcomes. RECENT

findingsESPB has shown promise in reducing postoperative pain and opioid requirements in breast surgeries, including mastectomies, lumpectomies, reconstruction, and axillary dissections. By delivering local anesthetic into the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle, ESPB provides multi-dermatomal analgesia with a favorable safety profile. Compared to other regional techniques such as pectoralis nerve blocks and paravertebral blocks, ESPB is often easier to perform and associated with comparable or improved analgesia. Some studies also report earlier ambulation and shorter hospital stays.

conclusionsThe ESPB has been shown to reduce the incidence of postmastectomy pain syndrome and opioid consumption following breast surgery. Current evidence indicates that both the ESPB and paravertebral blocks are both safe and effective in their analgesic purposes but there is no significant evidence favoring one block over the other.

Indexed as

MastectomyNerve BlockPain ManagementParaspinal MusclesPostoperative PainBreast NeoplasmsFemaleHumansTreatment OutcomeBreast surgeryErector spinae plane blockESPBMastectomyOpioid reductionPMPSPostmastectomy pain syndromePostoperative analgesia

Identifiers

PMID41457202

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.