Brijlal, Annika A

Pain management after thoracotomy is particularly complex in lung transplant recipients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), where anticoagulation significantly limits available treatment options. Coagulopathy constitutes a contraindication to neuraxial and deep peripheral nerve blocks due to hemorrhagic complications. Uncontrolled thoracotomy pain, hypoxia due to increasing opioid use, and hemodynamic instability can delay successful weaning from ECMO. We present the case of a patient on bivalirudin after undergoing a thoracotomy for a right lung transplantation. This case highlights the successful use of a serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) as an alternative approach to neuraxial anesthesia in an anticoagulated patient, optimizing analgesia and facilitating recovery postthoracotomy.