Comment on: “Efficacy of bilateral catheter superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks using programmed intermittent bolus for opioid-sparing postoperative analgesia in cardiac surgery with sternotomy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial”

Only 60 patients were enrolled to assess eligibility based on the criteria described earlier, yet both the ropivacaine group and the saline group ended up with 35 patients for analysis in Fig. 2. [...]all patients in the study received intravenous administration of palonosetron and dexamethasone at the end of surgery for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). [...]we respectfully appreciate that the authors provided valuable insights showing that bilateral catheter SPIP blocks with a PIB regimen demonstrate an opioid-sparing effect in cardiac surgery with sternotomy.