ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in medical pleuroscopy
ProcedureOn the lateral decubitus position, under full aseptic technique; a high frequency (5-13 MHz) linear probe (or curvilinear in obese patients) of ultrasound covered sterilely will be placed in a parasagittal longitudinal orientation approximately 3 cm lateral to the spinous process to identify the trapezius, rhomboid major (if present), erector spinae muscle and thehyperechoic transverse process with its acoustic shadow, with the target being the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process; the needle will be inserted in-plane in a cranial-to-caudal direction under real-time ultrasound guidance until it contacts the transverse process, after which 1-3 ml of normal saline is injected to confirm correct plane by lifting the erector spinae muscle off the transverse process, then following negative aspiration 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine at each level (10 ml 0.5% bupivacaine + 10 ml normal saline ) will be injected incrementally