Sudhakar S, Kundra P, Madhurima S, Ravishankar M
Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2005 Jan;49(1):104-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2004.00537.x.
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.
