Comparing analgesic efficacy of continuous serratus anterior plane and thoracic epidural blocks for multiple rib fractures.

A comparative study published in Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica examined the analgesic efficacy of continuous serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) and thoracic epidural block for multiple rib fractures (MRF). The study found that both interventions significantly reduced pain levels, but the epidural block was more effective in reducing pain during movement within 2 hours after the block. However, the study raised questions about the methodology and results, including the use of a larger effect size for sample size calculation, variability in oxycodone consumption, and the limited assessment of patient satisfaction. The authors suggest that further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of SAPB as an alternative method for MRF analgesia when epidural block is contraindicated. No conflicts of interest or funding were reported. [Extracted from the article]