Post Operative Pain Control Using Ropivacaine and the ON-Q System in the Adult Pectus Excavatum Patient

"ON-Q soaker catheter system with Ropivicaine at 7 cc per hour placed by a single surgeon in the operating room. 7.5 catheters will be tunneled subcutaneously in the anterior axilla bilateral and secured with steri-strips and dressing. ON-Q systems will be primed with 750 cc and refilled accordingly to provide for 6 days of analgesia. Catheters will be removed by the surgeon in the hospital or clinic on the 6th post operative day. Patients may request removal of the catheter prior to the 6th day and this will not be considered a withdrawal from the study or complication and will be included in overall analysis, but noted accordingly."

Thoracic epidural with Ropivicaine 0.25% placed pre-operatively by the anesthesiologist. Epidurals will remain in place for 72 hours and discontinued by the anesthesia pain management team.