Different Approaches to Thoracic Paravertebral Block

Plain-language summary

Thoracic paravertebral block (TPB) in thoracic surgery is practiced since the development of minimally invasive surgery. Historically, thoracic epidural analgesia is done in open thoracic surgery. Thoracotomy with rib spacing causes strong post-operative pain that is well controlled with epidural analgesia and allows less use of morphine. However, this method causes frequent side effects. Minimally invasive surgery, when it is possible and recommended, has the main benefit of not spacing the ribs and therefore preventing nerve stretching, rib fractures and less post-operative pain. This less aggressive method has other benefits: less inflammation, better recuperation especially for vulnerable patients (the elderly; limited pulmonary functions), less time of thoracic drainage, less in hospital stay and better quality of life (1). Less invasive surgery has brought us to use less invasive analgesic methods. Thoracic paravertebral block is a good alternative to thoracic epidural analgesia but is unfortunately not done everywhere due to the lack and need of professional training. The objective of our study is to compare two methods of TPB: ultrasound guided method undergone by the anesthesiologist, and intrathoracic method undergone through video assisted surgery (VATS) or robotic assisted surgery (RATS).

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