Longnecker's Anesthesiology > Part 4. Managing Anesthesia Care > Section D. Regional Anesthesia > Chapter 47. Paravertebral Anesthesia Holly Evans, MD, FRCPC, and Stephen M. Klein, MD

Key Points

"1. A paravertebral nerve block involves conduction block of the spinal nerve within the paravertebral space.

2. Dense sensory, motor, and sympathetic block results.

3. Unilateral or bilateral, thoracic or lumbar segmental block can be obtained.

4. Common indications include thoracic surgery, breast surgery, and hernia repair.

5. Benefits include diminished stress response to surgery; decreased opioid consumption; reduced opioid-related side effects (nausea, vomiting, sedation); hemodynamic stability as well as preservation of pulmonary mechanics; lower-extremity strength; and bladder function.

6. Potential side effects are rare and include pleural puncture, pneumothorax, intrathecal or epidural injection, and local anesthetic toxicity.

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