Pain management technique for breast surgery

Serratus and Parasternal Infrapectoral Block for Breast Surgery. A Randomized Controlled Double Blinded Study to Measure Impact on Time to Hospital Discharge in an Outpatient Setting.

NA · Western University, Canada · NCT03708302

This study is testing if using special nerve blocks can help women have less pain and recover faster after breast surgery compared to just regular anesthesia.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexFemale
SponsorWestern University, Canada (other)
Locations1 site (London, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT03708302 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of serratus and parasternal infrapectoral nerve blocks in managing postoperative pain for women undergoing breast surgery. It compares the addition of these regional anesthesia techniques to a placebo combined with general anesthesia. The goal is to enhance pain relief, reduce opioid consumption, and improve recovery outcomes, potentially leading to earlier hospital discharge. The study focuses on patients undergoing unilateral oncoplastic breast reduction, simple mastectomy, or lumpectomy procedures.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women aged 18-80 years undergoing specific types of breast surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic pain conditions or those on high doses of opioids may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve pain management and recovery for patients undergoing breast surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar regional anesthesia techniques, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* women aged 18-80 years
* ASA I to III (American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System)
* Undergoing unilateral oncoplastic breast reduction mammoplasty, simple mastectomy surgery, or lumpectomy at St. Joseph's Hospital.
* Day surgery procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to understand or to provide consent
* Inability or unwillingness to comply with required follow-up assessments
* Psychiatric disorder affecting patient assessment
* Contraindication to regional anesthesia, e.g. coagulopathy
* Allergy to local anesthetic
* Chronic pain and/or chronic use of opioids with a daily use of over 30 mg oxycodone or equivalent per day
* Contraindication to a component of multimodal analgesia
* Preexisting neuropathy with motor or sensory deficits in the area of the anterolateral chest wall
* Infection near injection site
* Pregnancy
* BMI\>40
* Complication or adverse events unrelated to the study intervention that precludes evaluation of the primary and secondary outcomes.

Where this trial is running

London, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Breast Pain, Post-Op Complication, breast surgery, serratus plane block, parasternal infrapectoral block, simple mastectomy, oncoplastic reduction mammoplasty

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.