Thoracic paravertebral nerve block combined with general anesthesia for patients undergoing minimally invasive vertebroplasty: effects on pain and lumbar function

Objective This work was conducted to evaluate the effects of thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) combined with general anesthesia (GA) on pain and lumbar function in patients undergoing minimally invasive vertebroplasty.Methods One hundred patients scheduled for minimally invasive vertebroplasty were randomly allocated to a GA group (GA alone, n = 50) or a TPVB + GA group (TPVB combined with GA, n = 50). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded preoperatively (T0), at puncture (T1), at bone cement injection (T2), and at the end of surgery (T3). Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and anesthetic consumption were compared. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. Lumbar function was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively. Adverse events were also recorded.Results Significant group, time, and interaction effects were observed for MAP, HR, VAS, and ODI (all P < 0.05). Compared with the GA group, the TPVB + GA group showed lower MAP and HR at T1–T3, reduced blood loss and anesthetic use, lower VAS scores, improved ODI scores, and fewer adverse events (all P < 0.05).Conclusion TPVB combined with GA stabilizes perioperative hemodynamics, alleviates pain, and promotes recovery of lumbar function.