The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in the management of chronic thoracic pain. Correlation of pain/analgesia areas and long term effect of the treatment in three cases

Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim (Engl Ed). 2019 Oct;66(8):443-446. doi: 10.1016/j.redar.2019.02.010. Epub 2019 Aug 5.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a technique that is used both as perioperative analgesia and in the management of chronic pain. This has been described recently and is being a resource increasingly used for its easy implementation and low rate of complications. However, the correlation between pain and analgesia, as well as its long-term effect on chronic pain, should be studied. We present a series of 3 cases in which the effectiveness of the ESPB in patients with chronic chest pain was evaluated. The block was performed in all cases by depositing 20ml of 0.2% Ropivacaine in the fascial plane of the erector spinae muscle. The pain was measured using a numerical scale prior to the block, at 30minutes and a month. The areas were marked on the skin with different colours for comparison.

Keywords: Anestesia regional; Bloqueo erector espinal; Chronic pain; Dolor crónico; Dolor torácico; Erector spinae plane block; Regional anesthesia; Thoracic pain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Anesthesia, Conduction / methods
  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Botulinum Toxins / therapeutic use
  • Chest Pain / physiopathology
  • Chest Pain / therapy*
  • Chronic Pain / physiopathology
  • Chronic Pain / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Epidermal Cyst / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Block / methods*
  • Neuralgia / physiopathology
  • Neuralgia / therapy
  • Organ Specificity
  • Pain, Postoperative / physiopathology
  • Pain, Postoperative / therapy
  • Ropivacaine
  • Thoracotomy / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Ropivacaine
  • Botulinum Toxins