Pleural block: technique for regional anesthesia during percutaneous hepatobiliary drainage.

A new technique was used to achieve safe regional anesthesia in seven patients undergoing percutaneous hepatobiliary drainage. The pleural block was administered, and pain was assessed during and after the procedure by means of sensitivity to pin prick, verbal response, electrocardiographic tracings, and blood pressure measurements. In all patients the technique produced relief of somatic pain and did not alter hemodynamic or respiratory status.