Abstract
Purpose:
We report our experience of paravertebral block (PVB) on analgesic requirements and dynamic pain in patients presenting for hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HALN) and compare our results with conventional opioid therapy.
Patients and Methods:
From October 2006 to May 2008, 30 patients (male:female ratio, 17:13) scheduled for HALN received paravertebral analgesia preoperatively. Postoperative opioid requirements and dynamic visual analog scale pain scores were determined in the recovery room and every 8 hours for 48 hours postoperatively. Data were obtained from medical records and patient interview.
Results:
The paravertebral analgesia was completed in all 30 patients with a mean visual analog scale score of 3.08 (0–10). Cumulative morphine equivalent doses were 11.82 mg (0–41 mg), whereas in two other studies, it ranged from 24 to 54 mg.
Conclusion:
PVBs provided excellent analgesia with significant opioid sparing in this pilot series of 30 patients with HALN. Utilization of multimodal analgesia incorporating PVB is recommended for patients presenting for HALN.
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