Epidural Nerve Blocks Increase Intraoperative Vasopressor Consumption and Delay Surgical Start Time in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Free Flap Breast Reconstruction

Postoperative pain remains a significant challenge following breast reconstruction surgery, resulting in slower recovery, longer hospital admission, increased resource utilization, and poor patient satisfaction. Furthermore, postoperative narcotic usage and prolonged general anesthesia leads to nausea and vomiting, which predisposes patients to bleeding, hematoma formation, dehydration, aspiration, and delayed mobilization. There has been increasing focus on optimizing postoperative pain following breast reconstruction, particularly with regional nerve blocks.