Pectointercostal Fascial Block Catheters for Thoracic Injuries: A Case Series

Providing analgesia for patients with anterior rib and sternum fracture has been addressed from various types of modalities. Regional anesthesia via epidurals or peripheral nerve blocks, opiates, and other forms of multimodal pain regimens have been used. However, in the polytraumatic injury patient, positioning for an epidural may be problematic, and a predominantly opiate-based treatment plan may compromise respiratory status. In this case series, we describe the pectointercostal fascial block as another tool to treat patients with anterior rib and sternal fracture with polytraumatic injuries. All 3 of the block's successes were evident by improvement in the respiratory status of each patient.