Erector spinae plane block as an anesthesia technique for an emergent thoracotomy; a case report

Alireza Shakeri; Elham Memary

doi:10.1186/s12871-024-02431-x

Erector spinae plane block as an anesthesia technique for an emergent thoracotomy; a case report

BMC Anesthesiol. 2024 Feb 8;24(1):57. doi: 10.1186/s12871-024-02431-x.

Authors

Alireza Shakeri^{1

2}, Elham Memary^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Anesthesiology Department, Imam Hosein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Anesthesiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
³ Anesthesiology Department, Imam Hosein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. drmemary@gmail.com.
⁴ Anesthesiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. drmemary@gmail.com.

Abstract

Background: The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a novel regional block technique for pain management following thoracic surgeries. However, there are minimal cases in which the technique was used as the main anesthesia technique during surgery.

Case presentation: Here, we report the successful use of ESBP for applying anesthesia in a case during an emergent thoracotomy for performing pericardiotomy and loculated tamponade evacuation.

Conclusions: Using ESPB with a higher concentration of local anesthetics, in this case, prepared appropriate anesthesia for performing an emergent thoracotomy while avoiding multiple needle insertions and the risk of further hemodynamic instability.

Keywords: Erector spinae plane block; Regional anesthesia; Regional block; Tamponade.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Anesthesia, Conduction / methods
Anesthetics, Local
Humans
Nerve Block* / methods
Thoracotomy* / adverse effects

Substances

Anesthetics, Local