Introduction

Paravertebral block (PVB) has  been safely used as a sole anaesthetic or as a supplement to GA in patients undergoing breast surgery.¹ It’s analgesic effect is attributed to its distinctive property of  eliminating cortical responses to thoracic dermatomal stimulation.^2,3 which clinically translates to prolonged sensory neural block  resulting in decreased analgesic requirements.⁴ Further  merits of PVB include a reduced incidence of  post operative nausea and vomiting, early  ambulatory discharge & preventive benefit in chronic pain following mastectomy¹. Acute post operative pain has been postulated to be an important contributory factor in perioperative immune suppression which has been hypothesized to have a role in tumour progression and recurrence⁵. PVB due to its superior analgesic efficacy may thus have a beneficial role in contributing to a recurrence free survival in patients with carcinoma breast.

In this study, we aim to show the prolonged post-operative analgesic effect provided by PVB, when used as a supplement to general anaesthesia and the resultant reduction in postoperative opioid and analgesic requirements. Our rationale in using paravertebral block, is its relative ease of performance with lesser incidence of complications & hemodynamic variations.

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Dr Deepthi. J Prabhu

Assistant Professor, Division of Anaesthesiology,

Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mob: 9895006045