Rhomboid Intercostal Block vs Erector Spinae Block

This intervention involves an ultrasound-guided injection of 20-25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine into the fascial plane between the rhomboid major and intercostal muscles. The patient is positioned laterally, and the block is performed at the T5-T6 level using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe. The goal is to anesthetize the lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves to provide postoperative thoracic analgesia.

This intervention consists of an ultrasound-guided injection of 20-25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine into the plane deep to the erector spinae muscle at the T4-T5 transverse process level. The patient is positioned sitting or in lateral decubitus, and the procedure uses a curved or linear ultrasound probe. This block targets the dorsal and ventral rami of thoracic spinal nerves to manage postoperative pain after thoracotomy.