Ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral block alleviates postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing esophagectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Delirium is a common postoperative complication in older patients undergoing thoracic surgery and presages poor outcomes. Postoperative pain is an important factor in the progression of delirium. The purpose of this study was to test whether continuous thoracic paravertebral block (PVB), a more effective approach for analgesia, could decrease the incidence of delirium in elderly patients undergoing esophagectomy.