Optimal Timing of Intercostal Nerve Blocks During Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgeries

Blocking the nerves between the ribs with a local anesthetic is normally done as a part of routine care at the end of the surgery in one set of injections. Intervention group will receive injectate A at the beginning and injectate B and C prior to the closure. Control group receive injectate B at the beginning of surgery and injectate A and C prior to the closure and end of surgery. Injectate B contains 10 mL of 0.9% normal saline.

Blocking the nerves between the ribs with a local anesthetic is normally done as a part of routine care at the end of the surgery in one set of injections. Intervention group will receive injectate A at the beginning and injectate B and C prior to the closure. Control group receive injectate B at the beginning of surgery and injectate A and C prior to the closure and end of surgery. Injectate A and C contain 9 and 24 mL of ropivacaine HCl 0.5%, respectively.

Blocking the nerves between the ribs with a local anesthetic is normally done as a part of routine care at the end of the surgery in one set of injections. Intervention group will receive injectate A at the beginning and injectate B and C prior to the closure. Control group receive injectate B at the beginning of surgery and injectate A and C prior to the closure and end of surgery. Injectate C contains 0.125 mL of epinephrine-1:1000 preparation.

Blocking the nerves between the ribs with a local anesthetic is normally done as a part of routine care at the end of the surgery in one set of injections. Intervention group will receive injectate A at the beginning and injectate B and C prior to the closure. Control group receive injectate B at the beginning of surgery and injectate A and C prior to the closure and end of surgery. Injectates A and C both contain 1 mL of dexamethasone 4mg/mL preparation.