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Southeastern European Medical Journal : SEEMEDJ, Vol. 10 No. S1, 2026.

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https://doi.org/10.26332/sjrdts35

Efficacy and Clinical Utility of Pectoral Nerve Blocks in Thoracic Surgery

Sven Katalinić ; Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia *
Ivana Haršanji Drenjančević ; Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Hrvoje Vinković ; Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Dino Budrovac ; Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Sonja Škiljić ; Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Gordana Kristek ; Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

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Abstract

Postoperative pain remains a major challenge after thoracic surgery, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Although thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) are established components of multimodal analgesia for thoracic surgery, both carry limitations and side effects. The pectoral nerve block II (PECS II) provides anterolateral chest wall analgesia, offering a potential alternative for selected thoracic procedures. However, most clinical data on PECS blocks derive from breast and cardiac surgery, while evidence in thoracic and pulmonary surgery remains limited. This narrative review summarizes the current efficacy, clinical utility, and limitations of PECS blocks in thoracic surgery.

Keywords

nerve block; thoracic surgical procedures; thoracic surgery; video-assisted; anesthesia; conduction; pain; postoperative

Hrčak ID:

352297

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/352297

Publication date:

17.10.2026.

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