[Continuous paravertebral block as an analgesic method in thoracotomy].
BACKGROUND
Open thoracotomy is one of the surgical procedures that is still very painful in the postoperative period, which, in this type of surgery can have on respiratory function and subsequent recovery of the patient.


METHODS
The aim of the study is to assess continuous paravertebral thoracic block as an analgesic technique in thoracotomy. A total of 139 patients undergoing pulmonary resection surgery by posterolateral thoracotomy received postoperative analgesia using a 1.5% lidocaine infusion (7-10 ml/h) through a thoracic paravertebral catheter for at least 48 h. Pain intensity measured on the visual analogue scale (VAS) both at rest (passive VAS) and during stimulated cough (active VAS) was recorded at time of discharge from the Recovery Unit, and on the second, third and fourth day post-surgery. Postoperative complications and the need for analgesic rescue were studied.


RESULTS
On discharge from recovery, 98.6% of the patients had mild pain (passive VAS <3), 1.4% had moderate pain (passive VAS 4-6) and none with severe pain (EVA >6); on the 2nd day post-surgery, 97.9% had mild pain, and 1.2% moderate pain; on the third day 98.6% had mild pain and 0.7% moderate pain; and on the 4th day 100% had mild pain. There were no complications arising from the analgesic technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous thoracic paravertebral analgesia is effective and safe in controlling post-thoracotomy pain.
Rabanal Llevot
Jose Manuel
JM
Servicio Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Cantabria, España. jmrabanal@humv.es
Fayad Fayad
Mounir
M
Bartolomé Pacheco
María José
MJ
Carceller Malo
Jose María
JM
Naranjo Gómez
Sara
S
Ortega Morales
Javier
J
D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013908:Thoracotomy