The PVB was first described in 1905 by Hugo Sellheim for abdominal analgesia [7]. After its introduction, efforts were made to apply the technique for abdominal and thoracic surgeries. Several ultrasound-guided techniques have been developed since 2009 [8–11] and although the basic procedure is still widely used [12], these ultrasound-guided techniques are now being used more frequently. The thoracic paravertebral space includes the thoracic spinal nerves, which emerge from the medial side of this space as they exit the thoracic intervertebral foramen [13]. The thoracic paravertebral space is triangular in transverse section with the medial base formed by the posterolateral aspect of the vertebral body, articular process, and intervertebral foramen [7,13,14]. The anterolateral border is formed by the parietal pleura; and the posterior border is formed by the transverse process, heads of ribs, and superior costotransverse ligament [7,13,14]. The paravertebral space communicates laterally with the intercostal spaces and medially with the epidural space through the intervertebral foramen. It contains the thoracic spinal nerve roots, thoracic sympathetic chain, ramus communicans, intercostal vessels, and fat tissue. Therefore, depositing LA into this space induces a blockade of the ipsilateral somatosensory and sympathetic nerves, which makes the PVB an effective modality for anesthesia and analgesia of pain originating from the chest and abdomen. Furthermore, the continuous communication among the thoracic paravertebral space, upper segment levels, and adjacent intercostal and epidural spaces allows a single injected bolus of LA to reach several adjacent dermatomes, although the level of spread may vary [15].

Various ultrasound-guided approaches have been described that target the thoracic paravertebral space. These can be categorized as approaches that use either transverse or parasagittal ultrasound images, needle entry in the lateral-to-medial or medial-to-lateral trajectory, and in-plane or out-of-plane techniques [16]. However, in all of these techniques, the most important landmark structures in the ultrasound image are the transverse process of the thoracic spine, rib, and pleura. In this section, we consider ultrasound-guided thoracic PVB techniques using: the transverse cross-section in-plane approach in the lateral to medial trajectory; and the parasagittal cross-section in-plane approach in the caudal to cranial trajectory.

For the transverse approach, the ultrasound transducer is positioned transversely to obtain an axial view of the trunk lateral to the midline in the ipsilateral direction. A high-frequency linear probe is used to generate the ultrasound image. Initially, an image of the bony structures including the spinous process, transverse process, and rib at the target vertebral level is obtained using ultrasound. Next, the ultrasound probe is moved slightly cephalad so that the rib disappears, and an image showing the transverse process and pleura is obtained (Fig. 1). A needle is inserted in the lateral to medial direction so that the needle tip enters the paravertebral space under the transverse process and above the pleura (Supplementary Image 1). Care must be taken to avoid penetrating the pleura or entering the epidural or intrathecal space. A single dose of 10–20 ml LA is injected, and a continuous catheter may be inserted if continuous analgesia is required. An average of 10 ml LA will reportedly block approximately five dermatomes [17]. However, some studies indicate that four to six dermatomes are affected following the injection of 20 ml LA [15,18]. Therefore, anesthetic spread after a single large volume LA injection is relatively unpredictable, and a multiple injection approach using 3–5 ml anesthetic for every two adjacent levels of thoracic vertebra may be more practical [19]. The duration of analgesia for a single injection is 3–4 hours for lidocaine and 8–12 hours for ropivacaine or bupivacaine [14].

A thoracic PVB is indicated to provide perioperative pain relief for various abdominal surgeries including renal surgeries, herniorrhaphies, cholecystectomies, and other major abdominal procedures involving the thoracic spinal nerve dermatomes. It is also indicated for pain relief after breast surgeries, thoracic surgeries, and surgeries involving the chest wall. Several studies have compared the efficacy of the thoracic PVB, thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), and other post-thoracotomy pain-management modalities. A systematic review by Joshi et al. [20] demonstrated that the thoracic PVB provided superior pain relief and a reduced requirement for opioids compared to the intercostal nerve block, intrapleural analgesia, and intrathecal opioids. For post-thoracotomy pain, the analgesic efficacy of the thoracic PVB was equal to or greater than that of TEA [5,21,22]. Furthermore, the side effect profile of the thoracic PVB was superior to that of TEA and had a higher success rate [4,21,22]. A recent Cochrane review meta-analysis by Yeung et al. [4] that included 14 studies with 698 patients concluded that the PVB was as effective as TEA in controlling acute pain and had a reduced risk of complications. However, for the thoracic PVB, the appropriate doses of LA and adjuvants for a single injection and during continuous analgesia remain to be established [14]. The complications that can arise following the thoracic PVB include pneumothorax, hematoma, neurological injury, unintended intrathecal or epidural injection, and LA toxicity due to a high infusion dose. In addition, to determine the optimal catheter placement technique for continuous paravertebral analgesia, further studies will be necessary.

The intercostal nerve block provides analgesia in the corresponding dermatome, producing band-like anesthesia and analgesia [23]. This block was first described in 1907 by Braun [23]. The intercostal nerves are mixed and contain both motor and sensory fibers, which arise from the ventral rami of the corresponding thoracic spinal nerve roots from T1 to T11. The intercostal nerve runs along the inferior aspect of the corresponding rib and into the thoracic pleura and abdominal peritoneum. It provides sensory innervation for the pleura, peritoneum, chest wall, abdominal wall, and groin.

In most cases, multiple intercostal nerves must be blocked because these do not form a plexus, and each nerve runs along an individual pathway. The number of nerves that need to be blocked will depend on the extent of tissue damage and size of the incision. A dose of 3–5 ml LA for each thoracic nerve level is usually sufficient [24]. To perform the block, the patient should be in the lateral, sitting, or prone position. A high-frequency linear probe is used to generate the ultrasound image. First, the level of the block is marked by counting from the 2nd or 12th rib. The tip of the scapula can be a good landmark for the level of the seventh rib [23]. For the initial scan, the ultrasound probe is positioned in the midline along the transverse plane to identify the vertebral level. After the transverse process and rib at the target level have been identified, the probe is moved in a lateral direction following the rib until the rib angle is reached. This can also be determined by palpation if the rib is easy to palpate. Then the target level of the block is marked and the probe is rotated into the parasagittal axis. The ribs are identified as curved structures with an acoustic shadow (Fig. 3). The pleura can be identified as a hyper-echoic line that moves during inspiration. The thick erector spinae muscle (ESM) is identified overlying the rib, and three muscle layers (external, internal, and innermost intercostal muscles) are also identified (Fig. 3). The intercostal block is normally performed slightly (2 to 3 cm) medial to the angle of rib, towards the posterior thorax [16,25]. The needle is inserted in-plane in a caudal to cephalad direction and is positioned between the internal intercostal muscle and the innermost intercostal muscle or the pleura at the inferior aspect of the cranial rib (Supplementary Image 2). Approximately 3–5 ml LA is injected per level. After the injection of LA, hydrodissection should be performed above the pleura.

The intercostal nerve block is indicated to provide perioperative pain relief for various abdominal and thoracic surgeries. It is also indicated for pain relief after breast surgeries, rib fractures, and chronically painful conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia [26,27]. It can provide sufficient pain relief after thoracotomies, breast surgery, upper abdominal surgeries, and chest traumas such as rib fractures. However, the intercostal nerve block’s anatomical coverage overlaps with that of the thoracic PVB, and recent meta-analyses and systematic reviews have suggested that the thoracic PVB is superior for perioperative pain control in patients who have had thoracotomies. Furthermore, whether intercostal nerve blocks are sufficient to manage postoperative pain in breast surgeries is questionable [20,24]. The most frequent complication following an intercostal nerve block is a pneumothorax [28]. Other complications include hematoma, hemothorax, lung injury, and the need for intravascular injections due to the proximity of the intercostal vessels and the intercostal nerve.

The novel interfascial plane block was first described by Blanco [29] in 2011 and was named the Pecs 1 block. After introducing the Pecs 1 block, Blanco proposed a modification involving the axilla that made the technique suitable for breast surgeries. This was called the Pecs 2 block [30]. Blanco and colleagues [31] also described another variation in the Pecs block to extend the intercostal nerve coverage. This was called the serratus anterior plane block. The Pecs 1 block targets the lateral pectoral nerve and the medial pectoral nerve, which runs between the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles. Therefore, the Pecs 1 block is performed between the fascial plane of the pectoralis major and minor muscles, adjacent to the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery. The Pecs 2 block is an extended version of the Pecs 1 block. First, the Pecs 1 block is performed. Next, LA is injected deep between the serratus anterior and pectoralis minor muscles, at the level of the third and fourth ribs. This blocks the anterior divisions of the lateral rami of the intercostal nerves, long thoracic nerve, and thoracodorsal nerves. The serratus anterior plane block is designed to extend analgesia to the posterior side of the chest wall. It covers the sensory dermatomes from T2 to T9. This is a variation in the Pecs 2 block, and the needle is targeted to a more caudal and lateral position, in the mid axillary line at the level of the fifth rib, which is overlain by the serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi muscles. This blocks the lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerve and the long thoracic and thoracodorsal nerves [31,32].

The Pecs blocks and the serratus anterior block were initially developed to provide analgesia after breast surgery. In addition, they are indicated for perioperative pain relief in surgeries involving the anterior chest wall and the axilla (Pecs 2) or the posterolateral chest wall (serratus anterior block). However, these blocks are unable to anesthetize the anterior cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves; therefore, the medial aspect of the breast including the nipple and areola are not blocked [24]. To additionally block the anterior cutaneous branches, the pectointercostal and transversus thoracic muscle plane blocks have recently been described [32–34]. However, further studies will be required to confirm the extent of LA spread and analgesia. Several studies have recently described the efficacy of pectoral plane blocks. These demonstrate that the Pecs blocks are associated with lower pain scores and opioid sparing effects compared to placebo [35,36]. Comparing the Pecs blocks with single thoracic paravertebral injections has produced conflicting efficacy results [37,38]. Potential complications following these blocks include pneumothorax and injury to the thoracodorsal artery. However, because these techniques are relatively novel, few data regarding complications have been collected [39].

The TAP block was introduced in 2001 as a landmark-guided technique [40]. Because the widespread introduction of ultrasound guidance for peripheral nerve blocks, interest has developed in using the TAP block for perioperative analgesia in various types of surgery involving the abdomen. The anterior rami of the thoracolumbar nerves from T6 to L1 innervate the segmental cutaneous anterior abdominal wall; this includes the intercostal (T6 to T11), subcostal (T12), ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric (L1) nerves [41]. The branches inter-communicate and form the upper and lower TAP plexuses and the rectus sheath plexus. These segmental nerve branches converge just above the transversus abdominis muscle or between the transversus and the internal oblique abdominis muscles [41,42]. Therefore, LA applied in this plane will block these nerve plexus branches and provide analgesia to the anterolateral abdominal wall [1,41,42]. There are several TAP block approaches, which differ depending on the point of injection. These include the subcostal TAP (T6 to T9), the oblique subcostal TAP (T6 to L1; which corresponds to the upper approach TAP), the lateral or mid-axillary approach TAP (T10 to T12), and the posterior approach TAP (T9 to T12) [42]. The dual TAP combines the subcostal/oblique subcostal (upper) TAP and the lateral/posterior TAP techniques. The dual TAP block can provide analgesia to both the supra and infraumbilical hemi-abdomen. If analgesia of the entire anterolateral abdominal wall is required, then a bilateral dual TAP block called a “four quadrant” TAP block can be performed [43,44]. The position of the ultrasound probe will depend on the type of TAP block, as shown in Fig. 5.

The patient is placed in a supine position for the TAP block. When performing the lateral or posterior TAP block, the patient may be placed in a lateral position. A high-frequency linear ultrasound probe is used for scanning.

Following the more widespread application of ultrasound for assisting nerve block techniques, the TAP block has been used for perioperative analgesia in various types of abdominal surgeries and extensive studies have demonstrated its efficacy. Although the TAP block only alleviates somatic pain, it provides effective analgesia following abdominal surgeries when combined with multimodal analgesic techniques [45]. Compared to placebo, the TAP block reduces pain scores and opioid consumption following various lower-abdominal surgeries such as anterior iliac crest bone harvesting [46], hysterectomy [47], prostatectomy [48], cesarean section [49], and major surgery of the upper abdomen [3,50]. The four-quadrant TAP block with a continuous posterior TAP catheter showed comparable levels of analgesia and non-inferior postoperative pain scores and rescue analgesic consumption levels compared to continuous TEA [2]. Despite a relatively large number of studies and evidence of efficacy, selecting the best approach for each specific surgical procedure remains challenging [51]. For example, a posterior TAP block has been recommended for pain control following incisions under the umbilicus, and a subcostal or oblique subcostal TAP block may be most suitable for incisions involving the supraumbilical abdominal wall. Reports of complications following ultrasound-guided TAP blocks have been rare, and as such, it is considered a relatively simple and safe procedure. Potential complications include organ damage and local systemic toxicity due to the relatively large injection volume used in this procedure [52,53].

The rectus sheath block was first described in 1899 to relax the muscles of the abdominal wall. In 1996, it was suggested that this old technique might provide analgesia following umbilical hernia repairs in children [54]. After the more widespread application of ultrasound for assisting peripheral nerve block techniques in the mid-2000s, the rectus sheath block was applied to provide perioperative analgesia in operations involving periumbilical and midline incisions of the abdomen [55–58]. Depositing LA in the rectus sheath beneath the rectus abdominis muscle blocks the terminal anterior cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves from T9 to T11, which transfer sensory information from the periumbilical skin. The rectus sheath block is usually performed bilaterally as it is widely used for analgesia in surgeries involving midline incisions.

The patient is placed in a supine position and the ultrasound probe is held in the transverse position over the rectus abdominis muscle (Fig. 9). A high-frequency linear probe is used to perform the rectus sheath block. The needle is inserted between the rectus abdominis muscle and the posterior rectus sheath, and 15–20 ml LA is injected. Hydrodissection is used to separate the rectus abdominis muscle and the posterior rectus sheath (Supplementary Image 7).

Compared to placebo or local wound infiltration analgesia, the rectus sheath block results in lower pain scores with opioid-sparing effects in both children and adults receiving umbilical hernia repair [56,57,59]. Study reports have also demonstrated that this block provides effective pain control in surgeries involving midline incisions [60,61]. The rectus sheath block can be used in combination with the TAP block for pain relief over a wider area in surgeries involving the anterior abdominal wall [57,62]. Potential complications following the rectus sheath block include peritoneal or bowel perforation, hematoma, and local systemic toxicity.

These blocks were performed using landmarks since the 1980s. However, landmark-based ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks had low success rates, and much of the anesthetic was administered intramuscularly [63,64]. The introduction of ultrasound for assisting nerve blocks has increased success rates and improved outcomes. The ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves separate from the L1 spinal nerve, emerge from the outer border of the upper part of the psoas major muscle, and cross the QL muscle. They penetrate the transversus abdominis muscle near the anterior iliac crest and communicate with each other between the transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscle. Blocking the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves by infiltrating LA anesthetizes the inguinal wall, upper thigh, and suprapubic areas. These two techniques are similar to the TAP block. Blocking the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves separately is challenging [65].

The patient is placed in a supine position. A high-frequency linear ultrasound probe is used for scans. The ultrasound probe is held at an oblique angle and moved from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the umbilicus. The three abdominal muscle layers are identified, and 10–20 ml LA is deposited in the fascia layer between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles (Fig. 10). It is important to perform this block close and proximal to the ASIS, at a point before the nerve branches.

The ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks are indicated for surgeries in the inguinal and suprapubic area. There is good evidence that these blocks provide effective perioperative pain control for inguinal hernia repairs in children and adults [66–68]. The bilateral block reduces opioid consumption after cesarean sections and other gynecological surgeries performed on the lower abdomen [69,70]. No serious complications have been reported following iliohypogastric nerve blocks, but there is the possibility of intraperitoneal injection and bowel injuries.

The QL block was first described by Blanco in 2007 as an extension of the posterior TAP block [51]. The posterior TAP block, performed at the intersection between the QL muscle and the abdominal wall muscles just superficial to the transversus abdominis aponeurosis, results in the spread of LA around the QL and psoas muscles. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging has demonstrated that some paravertebral/epidural spread of LA occurs between T5 and T10 [71]. However, the QL block technique has been redefined with the LA deposited under the transversus aponeurosis and along the lateral aspect of the QL muscle [72]. Four types of QL block have been described according to the injection site relative to the QL muscle. These include the anterior (transmuscular), lateral (type 1), posterior (type 2), and intramuscular QL block techniques [72]. The thoracolumbar fascia is the fascial layer that encases the back muscles and consists of anterior, middle, and posterior layers. The anterior layer is located anterior to the QL muscle, the middle layer lies between the QL and the ESMs, and the posterior layer is located posterior to the QL muscle. As a result, LA deposited in the posterior and middle thoracolumbar fascial layer (lateral and posterior QL blocks) provides more extensive anesthesia and analgesia of the abdominal wall compared to the posterior TAP block. LA spread anterior to the QL muscle (anterior QL block) should further block the branches of the lumbar plexus, providing an additional analgesic effect to the lower extremities [73,74].

For the posterior and lateral QL blocks, a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe may be suitable, but for obese patients and for the anterior QL block, a low frequency curved probe should be used. The ultrasound scanning technique is similar to that previously described for the posterior TAP block.

The QL block is capable of providing analgesia in most cases of abdominal surgery. The lateral and posterior QL block provides more extensive analgesia compared to the posterior TAP block and can generate analgesia from T6–7 to L1 [75,76]. Furthermore, the anterior QL block can provide analgesia to the lower extremities, which is useful for surgeries involving the hip and thigh. The anterior QL block can also provide analgesia from T10 to L3 [76]. A study by Blanco et al. [77,78] demonstrated that the QL block resulted in significantly less postoperative pain and opioid consumption compared to placebo in cesarean section patients. The QL block was also superior to the posterior TAP block and resulted in less postoperative opioid consumption. However, further randomized controlled studies will be necessary to determine the optimal applications of this technique and identify relevant differences between the lateral and posterior QL blocks and the posterior TAP block. Potential complications include penetration of the peritoneum and associated organ injuries, kidney damage, and local systemic toxicity due to the relatively large volume of LA required for bilateral blocks.

One truncal block that has attracted a lot of recent interest is the ESP block. The ESP block was first described by Forero et al. [79], who tried to produce analgesia in patients with thoracic neuropathic pain. More than 40 cases that involve this novel blocking technique have been published since. These numerous case reports suggest that the many indications for the ESP block include ventral hernias, rib fractures, thoracotomies, visceral abdominal analgesia, breast surgeries, chronic shoulder pain, inguinal hernia in infants, and cesarean sections. However, as with most other truncal blocks, a deeper understanding of the anatomical basis of the ESP block is required. In a radiological imaging study that included fresh cadavers and living patients, following the ESP block applied at the fifth thoracic vertebral level, the injectate spread widely in the cephalad and caudal directions along the fascial sheath surrounding the ESM [80]. This suggested that the site of action is the dorsal and ventral rami of the thoracic spinal nerves. The spread of the drug, anterior and inferior to the ESM fascial sheath, resembles the pattern of drug infiltration during the PVB. In addition, the spread of the drug outward and posterior to the ESM fascial sheath resembles the pattern of drug infiltration during the QL or the posterior TAP block. The advantage of the ESP block is that it requires less technical expertise because it is similar to other truncal blocks and technically easier to perform compared to neuraxial, nerve plexus, and targeted nerve blocks. In addition, it is likely to have fewer serious side effects (e.g., spinal cord damage, nerve trauma, pneumothorax). Although it is possible to administer a continuous block by inserting a catheter, there has been little research on whether the ESP block can be effective as a single regional technique.

The patient is placed in a sitting position; a lateral position may also be suitable for this block. A high-frequency linear probe is used. The probe is positioned in the parasagittal plane and the scanning technique is similar to that described for the thoracic PVB. The contour of the target transverse process (T5 for thoracic and upper abdominal procedures; T7 for lower abdominal procedures) will be visible in the ultrasound image (Fig. 12). The needle is inserted in-plane in a cranial to caudal direction until it contacts the transverse process. Injecting <1 ml fluid should separate the ESM from the transverse process and confirm the correct location of the block needle. A total of 20–30 ml LA is injected in the fascial plane beneath the ESM.

Numerous applications of this block technique have been described since it was introduced. However, these are case reports and case series, and prospective or retrospective studies assessing the efficacy of the technique have yet to be published. The authors who first described the ESP block believe that as an analgesic block, it is similar to the PVB. However, it is associated with a much lower risk of side effects and can be safely performed in higher risk patients, such as patients with coagulation disorders. These features make the ESP block a simple and safe technique that is suitable for treating acute chest and abdominal pain following surgery. Prospective studies will be required to confirm its efficacy, safety, and clinical applications.