Purpose: To explore the benefits of ultrasound-guided intermittent thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) combined with intravenous analgesia (PCIA) in alleviating postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).
Patients and Methods: 120 patients with lung carcinoma undergoing VATS were included and divided into three groups: group S (single TPVB+PCIA), group I (intermittent TPVB+PCIA), and group P (PCIA). The patients’ NRS scores, postoperative hydromorphone hydrochloride consumption, and intramuscular injection of bucinnazine hydrochloride were recorded. The incidence of PONV and complications were documented.
Results: Compared with the group P, both group I and group S had significantly lower static NRS scores from 1– 48 hours after the operation (P < 0.05), and the dynamic NRS score of group I at the 1– 48 hours after the operation were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the group P, the proportion of patients with PONV in group I was significantly lower (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in group S. Moreover, the hospitalization period of patients in group I was significantly reduced compared with the other two groups (P < 0.01), and the patient satisfaction was significantly increased compared with the group P (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Intermittent TPVB combined with PCIA can reduce the postoperative pain and the occurrence of PONV.

Keywords: thoracic paravertebral block, patient-controlled intravenous analgesia, video-assisted thoracic surgery, postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative pain