Local anesthesia of intercostal nerves produces excellent analgesia in patients with chest trauma and in those patients requiring anesthesia for a thoracotomy, mastectomy, or upper abdominal surgical procedures.
The intercostal nerves are situated inferior to the rib borders in the neurovascular bundle. Each neurovascular bundle is situated deep to the external and internal intercostal muscle groups.
The nerve block may be undertaken using a “blind” technique or under direct imaging guidance.