Paravertebral block: An overview

Since the reintroduction of paravertebral block into clinical practice in 1980s, there has been an increasing interest in the technique as it provides high quality analgesia, a favourable side-effect profile, and may facilitate day care surgery and decrease hospital stay and cost. Over the last decade, there have been advances in the technique and expansion of its applications. Current evidence supports its safety and efficacy when used alone for surgical anaesthesia or combined with general anaesthesia for postoperative analgesia. This article reviews the techniques, applications and complications of thoracic and upper lumbar PVB in adult patients.