Thoracic paravertebral block using real-time ultrasound guidance.
BACKGROUND
We developed a technique for ultrasound-guided paravertebral block, which was subsequently applied in the clinical setting.


METHODS
An initial cadaver study was used to develop a technique that was used in the clinical setting on patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.


RESULTS
Paravertebral catheters were correctly placed in the cadaveric trial in 8 of 10 attempts. In the clinical study, all blocked patients (n = 9) had evidence of thoracic wall sensory block and analgesia postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Determined by anatomical dissection, we have described the ultrasound features of the thoracic paravertebral space and performed clinically successful ultrasound-guided paravertebral block.
O Riain
Seosamh C
SC
Department of Anaesthesia, Mid-Western Regional Hospitals, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland. seosamh.oriain@hse.ie
Donnell
Brian O
BO
Cuffe
Tracy
T
Harmon
Dominic C
DC
Fraher
John P
JP
Shorten
George
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography