Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) reduces perioperative pain and improves postoperative sleep quality in patients undergoing cardiac implantable electronic device implantation.
In a double-blind RCT of 60 patients, SPSIPB significantly reduced pain scores at all time points compared to sham control (p < 0.001), with clinically significant intraoperative pain (VAS ≥ 4) occurring in 83.3% of controls versus none in the SPSIPB group. Postoperative sleep quality was also improved, with median SQ-NRS scores of 2 in the SPSIPB group versus 7 in controls (p < 0.001), and 80.0% of controls reporting poor sleep quality versus none in the SPSIPB group.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) reduces perioperative pain and improves postoperative sleep quality in patients undergoing cardiac implantable electronic device implantation. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 42/100 (low).
The Claim
Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) reduces perioperative pain and improves postoperative sleep quality in patients undergoing cardiac implantable electronic device implantation.
This conclusion is most relevant to: 60 patients undergoing primary cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Efficacy of Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIPB) in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Implantation (CIED): A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. (Journal of clinical medicine, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Local anesthetic injected into the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane
- ▸Blocks sensory innervation from the posterior rami of thoracic spinal nerves
- ▸Reduces nociceptive input during and after CIED implantation
- ▸Result: Lower perioperative pain scores and improved sleep quality
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸60 patients undergoing primary cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Secondary outcomes (sleep quality, satisfaction) were exploratory and not powered for definitive conclusions
- ▸Single-center trial with small sample size (n=60) limits generalizability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SPSIPB?▼
Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block is an ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia technique that targets the plane deep to the serratus posterior superior muscle to provide analgesia for chest wall procedures.
How was sleep quality measured in this study?▼
Sleep quality was assessed using the Sleep Quality Numeric Rating Scale (SQ-NRS), a 0-10 scale where higher scores indicate worse sleep quality.
Did SPSIPB reduce the need for rescue pain medication?▼
Yes, the abstract notes reduced rescue analgesic requirements during the first 24 hours after CIED implantation in the SPSIPB group.
Is SPSIPB safe for all CIED patients?▼
This study included only primary CIED implantations; safety in other populations or procedures requires further research.
References
- 1.Altun G, Esin A, Ozsahin Y, Arslan S, Bilgin ME, Sandal B, Erkalp K, Salihoglu Z. “Efficacy of Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIPB) in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Implantation (CIED): A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial..” Journal of clinical medicine, 2026. PMID: 42513545 DOI: 10.3390/jcm15145629