Efficacy of rhomboid intercostal block for analgesia after thoracotomy
10.3344/kjp.2019.32.2.129
- Author:
Korgun OKMEN
1
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey. korgunokmen@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords:
Analgesia;
Catheters;
Fascia;
Intercostal muscle;
Thoracotomy;
Pain management;
Pain measurement;
Postoperative pain;
Ribs;
Rhomboid major muscle;
Visual analog scale
- MeSH:
Analgesia;
Anesthesia, Conduction;
Catheters;
Fascia;
Humans;
Intercostal Muscles;
Pain Management;
Pain Measurement;
Pain, Postoperative;
Ribs;
Thoracotomy;
Visual Analog Scale
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain
2019;32(2):129-132
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Regional anesthesia, including central and plane blocks (serratus anterior plane block and erector spinae block), are used for post-thoracotomy pain. The rhomboid intercostal block (RIB) is mainly performed by injection to the upper intercostal muscle plane below the rhomboid muscle. It has been reported to provide analgesia at the T3–T9 levels. The RIB was performed on 5 patients who had been scheduled for thoracotomy. The catheter was advanced in the area under the rhomboid muscle between the intercostal muscles. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores were observed and each patient’s resting VAS score remained below 3 for 48 hours. The RIB has been observed to be a convenient plane block for post-thoracotomy analgesia. We believe that further information from detailed studies is required.
