Combined paravertebral and erector spinae plane block in non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection: a case report

Thoracic surgery is often performed under general anesthesia, with intubation required. Less invasive surgical and anesthesiology approaches, such as a combination of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and regional nerve blocks, have been utilized to facilitate early recovery. In this case report, a patient undergoing VATS will be presented using thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and erector spinae plane blocks (ESPB) as the primary anesthesia approach. A twenty-eight-year-old male patient with no known comorbidity had been evaluated for VATS to undergo wedge resection of the right middle lobe due to non-resolving repeated pneumothorax. As the patient had bullous lung presence at the contralateral side as well, invasive ventilation was deemed risky, and, as an alternative approach, real-time ultrasound-guide TPV and ESPB block were performed with intravenous midazolam 2 mg and fentanyl 50 mcg utilized to prevent anxiety and pain control. A total of 20 ml bupivacaine and 10 mL 2% lidocaine were used for nerve blocks and for maintenance of sedation; 2 mg midazolam, 50 mg ketamine, 50 mcg fentanyl, and 150 mg propofol were used within 90 minutes of operation. After VATS, the patient was admitted to the surgical intensive care unit, and no complication was observed post-operatively, with a successful transfer to the ward afterward. Maintenance of an unproblematic perioperative period is as paramount as the surgery itself. A combination of protocols, with the limitation of post-operative opioid usage by sedation and less invasive surgical methods, such as non-intubated VATS being presented in this case report, allows an earlier recovery period and less complication by preserving lung function. TPV and ESPB, in this case, granted exclusion of intubation, less invasive to thoracic epidural anesthesia, and control of possible complications due to an already bullous lung.