TRANSIENT PARAPLEGIA FROM INTRAOPERATIVE INTERCOSTAL NERVE BLOCK AFTER TRANSTHORACIC DISKECTOMY

Objective. To present two patients with transient paraplegia from inte rcostal nerve blocks after transthoracic discectomy. Methods. The preo perative, intraoperative, and postoperative courses of two patients wh o underwent transthoracic discectomies were reviewed. A literature rev iew of complications from thoracic disc excisions and intercostal nerv e blocks also was conducted. Results. Two patients experienced transie nt paraplegia from intercostal nerve blockade after thoracotomy for th oracic discectomies. Although transient paraplegia (or regional anesth esia) after intercostal nerve blocks has been reported and is consiste nt with the clinical course seen in our two patients, it has not been reported after thoracotomy for decompression of the spinal cord. Concl usion. Because of the inherent risk of neurologic injury after thoraci c discectomy, the authors discourage the use of intercostal nerve bloc ks for relieving postoperative pain after transthoracic discectomy.