Comparison of Efficacy of Paravertebral and Epidural Analgesia After Videothoracoscopic Lung Lobectomy

Before anesthesia, continuous thoracic epidural block of T5/T6 is performed (Portex Epidural Minipack set). Identification of paravertebral space by loss of resistance technique (air). A catheter is advanced ca. 3-5 cm, and test dose with 2 ml of lidocaine 2% i injected. At the end of surgery syringe with 0,25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200.000 is connected to catheter and 6 ml bolus is injected, followed by an infusion of the same mixture at 0,06 ml/kg/h for postoperative pain management.

Before anesthesia, continuous thoracic paravertebral block of T5/T6 is performed (Portex Epidural Minipack set). Identification of paravertebral space by loss of resistance technique (normal saline). After injection of 5-10 ml of normal saline a catheter is advanced medially ca. 5 cm. At the end of surgery syringe with 0,25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200.000 is connected to catheter and 20 ml bolus is injected, followed by an infusion of the same mixture at 0,08 ml/kg/h for postoperative pain management

"Once arrived at the PACU all patients are placed on a postoperative analgesia regimen, that include:~* patient-controlled analgesia with morphine (bolus dose 2 mg, lockout time 10 min)~* paracetamol 1000 mg iv every 8 hrs~* ketoprofen 100 mg iv every 12 hrs"