Erector spinae plane block: An effective analgesic technique for pleurodesis after senning operation

Abstract

Pain emanating from pleurodesis is significantly distressing and presents an important management concern. Despite encouraging evidence on the application of fascial plane blocks for cardiothoracic surgery, the literature on the use of erector spinae block for pleurodesis remains scarce. We describe a case of bilateral recurrent pleural effusion following congenital heart surgery where erector spinae block was employed as an analgesic technique for pleurodesis. Finally, we discuss its regional analgesic effects in comparison to the conventional intravenous/systemic analgesia in a cross over fashion.

Keywords

• acute pain
• erector spinae plane block
• pleurodesis
• regional analgesia
• transposition of great arteries