Post-thoracotomy pain relief: Thoracic paravertebral block compared with systemic opioids

AbstractBackgroundWe evaluated the safety and efficacy of thoracic paravertebral block as a method of pain relief after thoracotomy in comparison with systemic opioids.Study designRandomized controlled trial.MethodsWe scheduled 40 patients divided into two groups to receive either 20ml bupivacaine (0.5%) incremental injections for intra and postoperative analgesia via a catheter inserted in the thoracic paravertebral space. The other 20 patients received systemic morphine for postoperative analgesia. We recorded postoperative Visual Analog Scale pain score, total morphine consumption, time to first analgesic request, changes in pulmonary functions and side effects.ResultsVisual analogue scale (VAS) at rest was lower in the paravertebral group at all measurement points except at 16, 20 and 24h postoperatively. Pain on coughing showed significant difference (P value