Paravertebral Block for a Patient With Achalasia Undergoing a Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy Procedure: A Case Report

In 2016, the American Medical Association officially dismissed pain as a vital sign quoting the opioid epidemic as a major reason. Clinically, pain remains very relevant and we present the case of a patient with achalasia treated via peroral endoscopic myotomy procedure (POEM). Given that similar patients previously failed traditional pain management modalities, regional anesthesia was used in this patient's pain management. The positive outcomes yielded from this technique convinced our gastroenterological colleagues to request regional anesthesia for future patients, altering their approach to pain management.