Pectoral?Intercostal Fascial Plane Block in Chronic Post?Sternotomy Pain

ABSTRACT

Persistent poststernotomy pain (PSP) is a well?known entity following cardiac surgery done with midline strenotomy. The severity of pain is usually mild to moderate in the majority of the patients. However, a small percentage of patients develop severe and persistent pain and need aggressive treatment. Our patient, a 63?year?old lady developed chronic severe parasternal pain following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. As multiple medications did not relieve her pain effectively, we did an ultrasound?guided pectoral?intercostal fascial plane block to which she responded with excellent and long?lasting pain relief. This is the first such case report of the use of this novel block technique for treating PSP.