Key clinical point: Continuous ropivacaine wound infiltration decreases pain scores and morphine consumption for the first postoperative 24 hours in women undergoing mastectomy for breast carcinoma. However, the benefit does not last much longer than the infusion itself.

Major finding: At 24 postoperative hours, the ropivacaine group had lower mean morphine consumption (P = .0026) and lower visual analog scale (VAS) scores (P = .039). The mean morphine consumption was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group vs. the placebo group during the first 48 hours postsurgery (4.8 ± 10.4 vs. 10.8 ± 16.5 mg; P = .056). VAS and quality of life at 1, 3, or 6 postoperative months did not differ between the groups.

Study details: A total of 150 patients undergoing mastectomy were randomly assigned to receive either continuous ropivacaine (0.2%; n = 74) or saline solution (0.9%; n = 76) at 10 mL/hour for 48 hours through a multi-lumen catheter placed during the surgical procedure.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the French National Cancer League and the Clinical Research in Cancer in Auvergne, Rhone-Alpes Assistance Platform (PARCC-ARA). The authors declared no conflicts of interest.