Bilateral Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Blocks for Open Gastrostomy in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

Most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients require enteral feeding, thus necessitating placement of a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) for worsening dysphagia. This case report discusses the use of bilateral thoracic paravertebral nerve blocks (TPVB) in two patients with ALS to facilitate an open G-tube placement to avoid ventilatory assistance.