Advantages of paravertebral analgesia in thoracotomy include the absence of morphine
side effects and the lack of contraindications. We introduce a new technique for paravertebral
catheter placement during video-assisted thoracic surgery. The catheter is placed
in the same intercostal space as the camera port. Anesthetic is injected to reach
the parietal pleura. The catheter is inserted through the needle and pushed until
the paravertebral space is reached. Postoperative analgesia is performed by a continuous
infusion of local anesthetics. Our technique is safe and easy to perform and avoids
opioid use. It works differently from intercostal analgesia and paravertebral blocks.
Keywords
paravertebral analgesia - VATS - contraindications - lung cancer
