Clinical Research Directory

Ultrasound will be sagittal placed against the target vertebral level T7 vertebrae in the lateral or sitting position and moved in approximately 3-cm lateral to the spinous process. The Erector Spinae muscle and transverse process will be then identified, and a blunted tip ,100mm, 20-gauge, short bevel needle (Pajunk Sonoplex, Geisingen, Germany) will be advanced, using the in-plane approach, in caudal -to- cephalad direction, through the inter fascial plane between the Erector Spinae and the underlying transverse process under strict aseptic precautions until the tip is deep to erector spinae muscle, as evidenced by visible hydro-dissection below the muscle plane, and on injection of 3 ml normal saline to confirm the correct needle tip position. The block will be performed bilaterally by injecting 60 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine (30mL into each side) into the fascial plane between the deep surface of the Erector Spinae muscle and the bilateral transverse processes of the T7 vertebrae

The target vertebral levels are T5 transverse process (at the level of Sternal Angle, above T7 by tow vertebra)(19) and T10 transverse process (at the level of Xiphisternal Junction, below T7 by 3 vertebrae). The block will be performed bilaterally by injecting 60mL of 0.25% bupivacaine (15mL into each of four site) into the fascial plane between the deep surface of the Erector Spinae muscle and the bilateral transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae 5 and 10 (at the most lateral part of the transverse process) in the same technique.