Erector spinae plane block on pain management after thoracic surgical approaches due to COVID-19 complications. Case reports

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Erector spinae plane block is an interfascial plane block used as a tool for management of pain resulting from thoracic and abdominal surgical procedures described in the literature since 2016 and widely used in clinical practice. In the context of the pandemic caused by Sars-CoV-2, multiple pulmonary complications arising from severe viral pneumonia and respiratory failure that required surgical approaches for their investigation and/or treatment were observed. The present study's objective was to present a series of three cases of patients affected by COVID-19 who had pulmonary complications due to infection or exacerbation of previous pulmonary diseases caused by the new coronavirus, in which the continuous fascial plane block was successfully used for postoperative pain management. CASE REPORTS: Three cases of patients with COVID-19 viral pneumonia requiring diagnostic or therapeutic thoracic surgery who underwent erector spinae plane block for perioperative pain management were presented. CONCLUSION: The use of a catheter with continuous infusion of local anesthetic was useful for reducing analgesic rescue and maintaining good postoperative analgesia with no evidence of adverse effects in the presented patients, also allowing acceleration of postoperative recovery and a better outcome for the patients. Erector spinae plane block on pain management after thoracic surgical approaches due to COVID-19 complications. Case reportsBloqueio do plano dos músculos eretores da espinha no manejo de dor pós-abordagens cirúrgicas torácicas por complicações da COVID-19. Relato de casos