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Distance between the skin and the thoracic paravertebral space
M Z Naja1, A C Gustafsson, M F Ziade
1Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Makassad General Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. zouhnaja@yahoo.com
Anaesthesia
|June 18, 2005
Summary
Estimating skin-to-paravertebral space depth is crucial for safe paravertebral blockade. Depths vary by thoracic level, with body mass index influencing upper and lower thoracic measurements.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Regional Anesthesia
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Paravertebral blockade is a key technique for thoracic surgery.
- Accurate depth measurements are essential for safe and effective blockade.
- Variations in depth can impact procedure success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the skin-to-paravertebral space depth at different thoracic levels.
- To investigate factors influencing this depth, such as body mass index.
- To provide data for optimizing paravertebral blockade techniques.
Main Methods:
- Nerve stimulator-guided paravertebral blockade technique.
- Assessment of 527 blocks in 186 patients undergoing trunk surgery.
- Statistical analysis of skin-to-paravertebral distance based on thoracic level and BMI.
Main Results:
- Median skin-paravertebral depth was 55.0 mm.
- Upper (T1-3) and lower (T9-12) thoracic levels showed significantly greater depths than mid-thoracic levels (T4-8).
- Body mass index significantly influenced depth at upper and lower thoracic levels (p < 0.001), but not mid-thoracic levels.
Conclusions:
- Skin-to-paravertebral depth varies significantly across thoracic levels.
- Body mass index is a critical factor affecting depth in the upper and lower thoracic regions.
- These findings aid in improving the safety and efficacy of paravertebral blockade.