Local infiltration of anaesthesia with subpectoral indwelling catheters after immediate breast reconstruction with implants: a pilot study.

Our aim was to evaluate a supplementary method of pain relief following immediate breast reconstruction with submuscular tissue expanders in a descriptive, retrospective analysis. Between 2001 and 2003, 30 patients underwent 36 mastectomies with immediate breast reconstruction using submuscular tissue expanding prostheses. In 20/36 mastectomies an indwelling catheter was introduced behind pectoralis major for periodic injection of local ropivacaine as a supplement to standard postoperative analgesia. This group was compared with the group of patients operated on before the introduction of this method. The oral consumption of opioids was significantly lower in patients with subpectoral indwelling catheters. The hospital stay was reduced in patients with subpectoral indwelling catheters. No patient had an adverse event during the postoperative period. Periodic infusion of local anaesthetics through an indwelling catheter during the early postoperative period reduces the consumption of oral opioids and reduces hospital stay.