Selective dorsal scapular nerve and long thoracic nerve blocks for rescue analgesia in scapulothoracic arthrodesis surgery: a case report

Abstract

Scapulothoracic arthrodesis (STA) surgery is performed to stabilize the scapula in patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). Postoperative pain could be a major problem even while using erector spinae plane block (ESPB). We performed a preoperative ESPB with an intraoperative ESPB catheter, but rescue analgesia was needed for pain in the periscapular area in the postoperative period. The patient's pain score was reduced by applying an ultrasound-guided dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) and long thoracic nerve (LTN) block. Selective DSN and LTN blocks can be effective in enhancing postoperative analgesia in STA surgery.