Ultrasound-Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Blockade: A Retrospective Study of the Incidence of Complications.

Background: The benefits of thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) have been demonstrated for patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer. However, pleural puncture resulting in pneumothorax is a serious complication associated with traditional approaches using guidance from anatomic landmarks and nerve stimulation and may contribute to the low utilization of this block. An ultrasound-guided technique has the potential to reduce complications by providing direct visualization of the paravertebral space during needle manipulation.

Platelet-derived growth factor-AA-mediated functional angiogenesis in the rat epigastric island flap after genetic modification of fibroblasts is ischemia dependent.

Background: The aim of this study was to induce therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemically challenged flap tissue by means of gene transfer.

Methods: Isogenic rat fibroblasts were retrovirally transfected to produce platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA. Stable gene expression was monitored by PDGF-AA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.