The provision of analgesia using continuous bilateral intercostal blockade was compared with that provided by conventional i.v. narcotics for the first 48 h after cardiac surgery. The subjective quality of analgesia was significantly superior with the regional technique. However, pulmonary function tests, gas exchange, lung volume, and radiological and clinical evidence of pulmonary complications were not improved. The failure to reduce morbidity and the potential for complications such as pneumothorax, makes it difficult to recommend the regional analgesia technique in this situation.

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Read it back to me,' said Helen. Pam cleared her throat. '"Modern independent woman, late thirties, enjoys playing Scrabble, reading and socialising with friends".' 'Late thirties?' Helen touched her crow's feet. 'Would anyone believe that?' 'Everyone exaggerates in their profiles.' 'Socialising with friends?' 'Well, I'm here right now,' said Pam. 'We're socialising.' 'I don't think sisters count,' said Helen. 'No offence.' 'You've got friends. What about Jen?' Helen glanced out the window and saw the postie ride straight past her letterbox. 'She stopped coming over.' They sat in silence for a while after that. Helen tried to remember the last time she'd had someone round. Someone other than Pam. The woman from next door had come over once, with an invitation to a Tupperware party. Helen had wanted to say yes, but panic quickly filled her body and that was that. 'It's pointless, you doing this,' Helen said, walking over to the computer. 'I can't go on a date. I can't go anywhere.' 'You don't have to,' said Pam. 'They can come here.' Helen frowned. 'It might be fun,' said Pam, eyebrows up. Helen sighed. 'Oh, go on then.' A week later, Pam rang up to check on the progress. 'Where did you write my password down?' Helen said. 'On the pad next to the computer!' said Pam. 'Right, yes, here it is. I'll log on now, then.' 'Call me right back.' There were seven interested people. Seven! Helen had the option to contact anyone she thought she might have a 'connection with'. She read through cliché after cliché. Young at heart. Loving living life. Easygoing. Pam answered the phone instantly. 'So?' 'No good,' Helen replied. 'No one sent you a "kiss"?' 'Just middle-aged men who love living life.' 'That just means that they can still get it up.' 'Pam!' Helen wasn't even sure if she could go to bed with someone. It had been a long time. She put her hands on her stomach. It reminded her of bread dough.