Virtual Reality for Anxiolysis and Pharmacological Sparing

A brief overview of all three virtual reality scenarios will be shown in a consolidated video prior to letting the participant select the preferred scenario. The participant's choice of scenario will then be documented. Once paravertebral blocks are completed and the participants are in supine position and the surgeon is ready to disinfect, the VR headset will be applied on the face of the participants in the intervention group and the chosen scenario will be started. If at any point the patient expresses a desire to stop using VR during the surgery, we will first offer them an alternate scenario. If they reiterate their willingness to stop, with or without having experienced the new scenario, the headset will be removed for the remainder of the surgery.

Standard of care in anesthesia with patient-controlled sedation.