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Truncal Blocks: Thoracic Paravertebral Blocks

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Analgesia in Major Abdominal Surgery

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Abstract

Paravertebral blocks are an older technique, which have regained popularity due to the increased safety of ultrasound assisted or live-time needle guided paravertebral blockade with or without catheter placement. Efficacious for both thoraco-abdominal and abdominal surgery, it and may have the same potency as thoracic epidural analgesia with greater haemodynamic stability. It can be unilaterally or bilaterally inserted; single-shot or continuously administered. Bilateral continuous blocks are required for open abdominal surgery. Pneumothoax and potential vascular injury are the most serious potential complications. Limiting catheter insertion to less than 3 cm within the paravertebral space reduces misplacement. Due to the efficacy and haemodynamic stability of this technique it may be well suited to enhanced recovery after surgery for major abdominal surgery.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Passavant Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Kevin King

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  1. Kevin King
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthetics and Critical Care, Royal Blackburn Hospital, Blackburn, Lancashire, UK

    Anton Krige

  2. Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital, Richmond, VA, USA

    Michael J. P. Scott

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King, K. (2018). Truncal Blocks: Thoracic Paravertebral Blocks. In: Krige, A., Scott, M. (eds) Analgesia in Major Abdominal Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94482-1_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94482-1_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-94480-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-94482-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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