COMPARISON OF CONTINUOUS PARAVERTEBRAL AND EXTRADURAL INFUSIONS OF BUPIVACAINE FOR PAIN RELIEF AFTER THORACOTOMY

Abstract

Pain was controlled in 20 post-thoracotomy patients using a continuous infusion of 0.25% bupivacaine through an extradural or paravertebral catheter. Both techniques provided good analgesia. Hypotension and urine retention occurred significantly less frequently in the paravertebral than in the extradural group.