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Background and Aims Upper limb tumors are rare diseases, but once diagnosed they require aggressive surgical treatments with a highly painful postoperative period. We reviewed the cases treated in our center during the last 5 years in order to check if the outcomes in postoperative pain management were acceptable or needed improve.

Methods 4 cases were treated in our center during this period, of which one was humeral osteosarcoma and the remaining 3 humeral chondrosarcoma. In all these cases, a wide humeral resection and implantation of a megaprosthesis was performed. Combined anesthesia was chosen in all 4 cases (TIVA + ecoguided continuous peripheral nerve block). In 3 cases an interscalene block was performed and in the remaining case a supraclavicular block. Pain level was monitored daily via the VAS scale, as well as the need for opioids and the day of catheter removal.

Results The catheter was removed between the 4th and 5th postoperative day in 3 cases. In the remaining case, due to an air entry into the circuit and consequent malfunction that caused a VAS level of 6, the catheter was removed on the 6th day. Apart from this fact, the maximum VAS was 2 in all cases and the patients did not require rescue opioids. Pain level from withdrawal to discharge ranged in similar values.

Conclusions Despite presenting a short series of cases, we believe that the use of peripheral nerve catheters is an excellent option in the perioperative management of pain in this type of procedure.