Intercostal nerve block guided by ultrasound combined with intravenous analgesia in patients with rib fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation

Objective To evaluate the analgesic efficacy and respiratory influence of intercostal nerve block guided by ultrasound combined with intravenous analgesia in patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation for rib fractures. Methods Sixty patients with rib fractures were randomly divided into in-travenous analgesia group (intravenous analgesia pump for postoperative analgesia) and combined intercostal nerve group (ultrasound guided intercostal nerve block combined with intravenous analgesia pump), 30 cases in each group. The analgesic efficacy, incidence of hypoxemia and hypercapnia in both groups were observed. Results No difference was found in analgesic efficacy at each time point after the operation between two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of hypoxemia and hypercapnia was significantly lower in the combined intercostal nerve group than that in the intravenous analgesia group (P<0.05). Conclusion Respiratory influence of inter-costal nerve block guided by ultrasound combined with intravenous analgesia is lower than that of intravenous analgesia. The efficacy of its postoperative analgesia is effective and safe, which is similar to the intravenous postoperative analgesia. Key words: Intercostal nerves; Nerve block; Rib fractures; Pain, postoperative; Respiratory in-fluence; Analgesia, patient-controlled