[Thoracic Paravertebral Block in Patients Ineligible for Epidural Block].

We retrospectively assessed the effectiveness and the safety of thoracic paravertebral block(PVB) in patients ineligible for epidural block (EP). Eleven PVB patients and 33 EP patients were enrolled. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a numerical rating scale (NRS). The mean NRS ± standard deviation at rest 24 and 48 hours after surgery were 1.36 ± 1.63 and 0.55 ± 1.03 in the PVB group and 1.07 ± 1.47 and 1.38 ± 1.31 in the EP group, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the NRS scores. Approximately 10% of the EP patients had complications such as hypotension, nausea and vomiting, or urinary retention. On the other hand, there were no adverse events in the PVB group. PVB can provide pain relief comparable to EP with a better side-effect profile. There were no technical complications associated with PVB. Thoracic PVB is an effective and safe method of postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing thoracic surgery with ineligibilities for EP.