Deep Serratus Plane Catheter for Management of Acute Postthoracotomy Pain After Descending Aortic Aneurysm Repair in a Morbidly Obese Patient: A Case Report.

Regional procedures for postthoracotomy pain control have classically focused on paravertebral blocks and thoracic epidurals; however, these techniques may be challenging in an increasingly obese population and contraindicated with numerous anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents. While less studied, truncal blocks allow analgesic intervention for this growing patient cohort. This case report describes placement of a deep serratus anterior plane catheter in an intubated, morbidly obese patient with a lumbar drain who failed extubation secondary to acute postthoracotomy pain.

Amputation as an Unusual Treatment for Therapy-Resistant Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 1.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome, type 1 (CRPS-1) causes severe pain that can be resistant to multiple treatment modalities. Amputation as a form of long-term treatment for therapy-resistant CRPS-1 is controversial.

Case Report: We report the case of a 38-year-old man who failed all treatment modalities for CRPS-1, including medication, steroid injections, and spinal cord stimulator implantation.