Efficacy of Bilateral Transversus Thoracis Muscle Plane Block in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Open Cardiac Surgery

Abstract Objectives Adequate pain management is crucial for pediatric patients undergoing open cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a bilateral transversus thoracis muscle plane (TTP) block on open cardiac surgery outcomes. Setting First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Participants Patients aged 6 to 60 months undergoing cardiac surgical procedures were included. Interventions A group of 100 children were randomly allocated to either receive bilateral TTP block (TTP group) or no nerve block (CON group). Measurements and Main Results The primary endpoint was postoperative pain, which was measured by the Modified Objective Pain Score (MOPS). The secondary outcome measures included intraoperative and postoperative fentanyl consumption, time to extubation, time to first feces, length of stay in the ICU, length of hospital stay, and possible complications such as ropivacaine allergy, pneumothorax, hematomas, infections and injuries to the internal mammary artery and vein. The TTP group had a significantly lower MOPS until 24 hours after extubation than the CON group. The TTP group reported significantly less fentanyl consumption. Time to extubation, length of stay in the ICU and length of hospital stay were significantly decreased in the TTP group. Conclusion Bilateral TTP blocks provide effective analgesia and accelerate recovery in pediatric patients.