Unilateral bronchospasm following interpleural analgesia with bupivacaine.

Sudhakar, S; Kundra, P; Madhurima, S; Ravishankar, M · Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · 2005

case_report · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

The interpleural block (IPB) is a relatively safe procedure and is commonly practised to provide analgesia. A local anaesthetic injected into the interpleural space spreads widely to block various neural structures. The IPB can initiate bronchospasm by interrupting the sympathetic outflow but sparing the parasympathetic outflow to the lungs. In addition, unilateral reduction of intercostal muscle tone with consequential selective reduction of the functional residual capacity of that lung may also mimic airflow obstruction. We report a case of unilateral bronchospasm encountered following IPB.

Medical subject headings