New nerve block eases rib fracture pain, cuts opioid use

This study tested whether an ultrasound-guided nerve block (Serratus Anterior Plane Block) can improve pain, breathing, and coughing in emergency room patients with rib fractures. Forty adults with confirmed rib fractures received either the nerve block or usual care. Researchers measured pain and breathing scores over five hours and tracked opioid use over 24 hours to see if the block reduced the need for painkillers.