Paravertebral blockade – Underrated method of regional anesthesia

Conclusions (1) PVB is a technically simple and relatively easy to learn technique of regional anesthesia, with low incidence of complications and contraindications. (2) It may be successfully used in breast surgery, hernia repair, as well as in surgical debridement and revision of small, superficial thoracic wounds, in case of herpes zoster, rib fractures, bruised liver and several other clinical situations. (3) Its principal use is management of postoperative pain in thoracic surgery, where it should be used more often as an alternative to epidural anesthesia which entails multiple complications and is considered the gold standard in certain abdominal or breast surgeries. (4) The best quality of PVB is provided with placement of the catheter under direct vision during thoracotomy.
Source: Polish Annals of Medicine - Category: Journals (General) Source Type: research