title: Continuous intercostal nerve blockade for pain relief following cholecystectomy.
abstract: Continuous intercostal nerve blockade was used to provide analgesia after cholecystectomy. The blockade was maintained by the insertion of a single extradural catheter into an appropriate intercostal space and by "topping-up" with local anaesthetic on demand. Of the patients studied, 92%, and 76%, required no additional analgesia in the first 24 h and first 48 h following operation, respectively. Measurements of peak flow were obtained on the 1st day after operation. A mean improvement of 37% on pre- "top-up" peak flows, was found. It is suggested that continuous intercostal analgesia is a a safe, reliable and powerful form of analgesia which may improve respiratory function after cholecystectomy.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002045:Bupivacaine; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007367:Intercostal Nerves; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D013900:Thoracic Nerves; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002045:Bupivacaine