Right thoracic paravertebral anaesthesia for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver tumours

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) of liver tumours performed under local anaesthesia and intravenous sedation can cause severe pain to patients. This prospective study evaluated the efficacy of a right thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) for anaesthesia and analgesia during PRFA of liver tumours.

20 patients, aged 44-74 years, with liver malignancies received a multiple injection TPVB at the T6-10 levels 30 min before the PRFA. An intravenous infusion of propofol (3-5 mg kg(-1) h(-1)) was administered to patients who requested to be sedated and intravenous fentanyl (25 µg bolus) was administered as rescue analgesia. Pain during the TPVB and PRFA was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS; 0, no pain; 10, worst imaginable pain). Patients were also assessed for residual pain and analgesic consumption during the 24 h after the intervention.

The TPVB was well tolerated and produced ipsilateral sensory anaesthesia with satisfactory spread (median (range); 8 (6-11) dermatomes). The PRFA procedure caused mild pain (mean (standard deviation, SD); NRS 1.4 (1.9)) during the insertion of the ablation needle and the peak pain intensity during the therapeutic burn was moderate (mean (SD); NRS 5.0 (3.3)) in severity. During the 24 h after the PRFA, patients reported minimal pain and consumed very few analgesics. The mean (SD) satisfaction score (0, totally dissatisfied; 10, very satisfied) of the patients was 8.9 (1.1) and that of the radiologists was 8.8 (1.4).

A right TPVB is safe and effective for anaesthesia and analgesia during PRFA of malignant liver tumours.