Key result
Paravertebral block showed no significant differences in morphine consumption or VAS scores compared to epidural anesthesia, with both groups showing significant PFT decreases (p<0.05).
Why the study?
Does paravertebral block reduce post-thoracotomy pain compared to epidural block in patients undergoing thoracotomy?
RCT (n=50)
randomized
Does paravertebral block reduce post-thoracotomy pain compared to epidural block in patients undergoing thoracotomy?
Paravertebral block is an effective alternative to thoracic epidural anesthesia for post-thoracotomy pain relief, with similar pain scores and morphine consumption.
Paravertebral block offers a practical alternative to epidural for thoracotomy analgesia; extends evidence supporting its use when epidural is less feasible.
Purpose: This study aimed to compare thoracic paravertebral and epidural blocks in patients undergoing thoracotomy. Methods: Fifty patients were randomized to be given either epidural (Group I ) or paravertebral (Group II ) block. All patients received a bolus dose of %0.25 bupivacaine 10 ml before wound closure and a infusion of %0.25bupivacaine 0.1ml/ hr was started immediately upon arrival to surgical intensive care unit. All subjects were allowed to take supplementary doses of morphine. Patients were asked to assess the pain at rest, using visual analogue scale (VAS) starting from 1 hr after arrival in the SICU and every 2 hr for the first 24 hr. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed before operation and 24 hr after operation. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to morphine consumption, VAS scores. PFTs decreased significantly (p<0.05) after the operation compared to baseline values in both groups. Conclusions: We conclude that paravertebral block is an effective method for the relief of post-thoracotomy pain and should be considered as an alternative to thoracal epidural anesthesia.
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A 2006 study conducted an RCT in Thoracotomy (n=50). Paravertebral nerve block vs. Epidural anesthesia was evaluated on Morphine consumption and VAS scores. Paravertebral block showed no significant differences in morphine consumption or VAS scores compared to epidural anesthesia, with both groups showing significant PFT decreases (p<0.05).
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