Comparison of thoracic paravertebral and epidural blocks for pain relief after thoracotomy

Oğuzhan Cücü,

Oğuzhan Cücü¹, Pelin Karaca¹, Yavuz Enç², Okan Yücel², Tamer Aksoy¹, Şahin Şenay², Sevim Canik¹

¹Departments of Anesthesiology and Rehabilitation, Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center, İstanbul
²Departments of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center, İstanbul

Background: The aim was to compare the effects of thoracic paravertebral and epidural blocks on pain relief and respiratory function after thoracotomy.

Methods: 50 patients (38 males, 12 females; mean age 49.8±17.7; range 15 to 78 years) were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups to be applied epidural (group I), paravertebral (group II) block. Patients had supplementary doses of morphine by a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Postoperative total morphine consumption was noted by the PCA device. During the first 24 hours using visual analoque scale (VAS) patients were asked to assess their pain at rest; 1 hour after being in the intensive care unit and every 2 hours

Results: There were no significant differences between the groups regarding morphine consumption and VAS scores. Additionally, on the first postoperative day FEV1 and FVC measurements were not significantly different.

Conclusion: Paravertebral block may be an effective and safe altenative for the pain relief after thoracotomy.

Keywords : Analgesia/methods; pain, postoperative/physiopathology/ prevention & control/therapy; thoracotomy/adverse effects

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