title: A case series of thoracic paravertebral blocks using a combination of ropivacaine, clonidine, epinephrine, and dexamethasone.
abstract: Five patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer were followed for 6 days after placement of a multiple-injection, one-time paravertebral block. Data were collected on patient satisfaction, analgesic consumption, side effects, and complications. Ropivacaine as a sole agent in paravertebral blocks has a clinical duration of up to 6 hours. The addition of epinephrine, clonidine, and dexamethasone prolonged the clinical duration considerably.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Farzin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goravanchi
authors.forename: Spencer S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: Alicia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: Joel S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Katy E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: French
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000700:Analgesics; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003000:Clonidine; D004837:Epinephrine