Intercostal Nerve Blockade for Fractured Ribs and Postoperative Analgesia Description of a New Technique

Abstract

A technique is described for continuous intercostal analgesia wherein an epidural catheter is inserted into a single intercostal space and “topped-up” with bupivacaine as required. Analgesia using this technique spreads over a large number of dermatomes and the author describes its successful use in patients with multiple fractured ribs and in patients after gallbladder and kidney surgery.