Comparison of Epidural and Paracostal Catheter Placement for Pain Control After Rib Fractures

Thoracic epidurals work by delivering local anesthetics and narcotics to the epidural space, which then diffuse into the spinal nerve roots and block the transmission of pain from the chest wall to the spinal cord and brain.

Paracostal catheters run along the outer surface of the chest wall and act by delivering local anesthetics to the intercostal nerves as traverse the lower border of the ribs.