Posterior paramedian subrhomboidal analgesia vs. thoracic epidural analgesia for pain control in patients with multiple rib fractures.

Background: Rib fractures are common in trauma admissions and are associated with anincreased risk of pulmonary complications, ICU admissions, and mortality. Providing adequate pain control in patients with multiple rib fractures decreases the risk of adverse events. Thoracic epidural analgesia is currently the preferred method for pain control. This study compared outcomes in patients with multiple acute rib fractures treated with posterior paramedian subrhomboidal (PoPS) analgesia vs. thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). Methods: This prospective study included 30 patients with >=3 acute rib fractures admitted to a level I trauma center. TEA or PoPS catheters were placed and local anesthesia was infused. Data was collected including patients' pain level, adjunct morphine equivalent use, adverse events, length of stay, lung volumes, and discharge disposition. Non-parametric tests were utilized and two-sided p-values

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