Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) poses ventilatory challenges during general anaesthesia (GA). Without repair of large BPF, patient’s condition is unlikely to improve. Hence thoracic surgery in these patient is a challenging task. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has caused immense morbidityincluding pulmonary sequelae pulmonary complications such as BPF. Perioperative strategies included to maintaining adequate ventilation and haemodynamics. METHODS: We present anaesthesia management of five cases, who developed bilateral significant BPF as post COVID-19 sequelae. Conservative treatment with bilateral ICD did not reduce the BPF leak. Hence, surgical closure of BPF was planned. Maintaining adequate ventilation was challenging task. Regional blocks are considered safer alternative in patients with pulmonary disease. Erector spinae blocks (ESP) was performed. Ventilatory and haemodynamic parameters were measured. Pain score and patient comfort was also recorded. RESULTS: Out of five patients , four patients received ESP block and one patient had haemodynamic instability in intensive care unit so,the patient was operated under GA Table 1. Desaturation during positioning were noted in only one patient. Inotropes to maintain haemodynamics were required in two patients . All patients managed under ESP block were comfortable during intraoperative period. CONCLUSION: ESP block was found to be a a safer option for perioperative management in BPF repair in these patients of post COVID-19 sequelae .