Objective  To evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided subserratus anterior plane block on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.

  Methods  Sixty patients who underwent elective laparoscopic radical gastrectomy were enrolled between May 2022 and October 2023 at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital. Patients were assigned into two groups using a random number table method: the control (group C) and the ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) (group S). Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was administered at the end of the surgery. After surgery, visual analogue scale (VAS) of static pain scores was evaluated at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. PCIA pump was started at the VAS pain score≥4 after surgery, and sufentanil 0.1μg/kg was intravenously injected when the efficacy was inadequate. The requirement for PCIA use, time to first postoperative anal exhaust, first postoperative out-of-bed activity, first oral intake, and the duration of hospitalization stay were recorded for the two groups.

  Results  VAS scores were significantly lower at postoperative 1, 6, and 12 h in group S than in group C (P<0.05). Additionally, the number of effective uses of PCIA, and rescue analgesia were significantly lower in group S (6.1±0.4)(2) than in group C (18.6±1.4)(17) (P<0.001). The time to first postoperative anal exhaust, first postoperative out-of-bed activity, first oral intake, and duration of hospital stay were shortened in group S than in group C (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in other parameters between these two groups.

  Conclusion  Ultrasound-guided SAPB can reduce postoperative pain and facilitate fast recovery in laparoscopic radical gastrectomy patients.