ESP-block in thoracic surgery: a case report

Abstract

This report presents a clinical case of combined anesthesia in a patient with videothoracoscopic atypical resection of the right lung. In the operating room, the patient underwent ultrasound-assisted blockade in the plane of the m. erector spinae (ESP block) using 20 mL of 0.375% levobupivacaine solution, after which general anesthesia was induced. Opioid consumption per surgery was 0.3 mg of fentanyl. In the postoperative period, high-quality multimodal pain relief was achieved without the use of opioids. Within 7 h after the operation, the patient could actively expectorate with minimal discomfort. The article demonstrates the possibility of the effective application of the ESP block to reduce the risk of respiratory complications during lung surgery and to prevent the development of neuropathic post-thoracotomy pain syndrome.