Interpleural versus epidural analgesia with ropivacaine for postthoracotomy pain and respiratory function
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Published on: May 26, 2023
Vedat Yildirim1, Hakki Tankut Akay, Hakan Bingol
1Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Study Objective:
To evaluate the impact of interpleural analgesia (IP) on postthoracotomy pain and respiratory function as an alternative to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA).
Design:
Prospective, randomized study.
Setting:
Tertiary-care military hospital.
Patients:
Sixty young patients scheduled for elective thoracic surgery (correction of aorta coarctation and patent ductus arteriosus).
Interventions:
Patients were randomized into two groups to receive either IP or TEA for postthoracotomy pain management.
Measurements:
Patients in the IP group (n = 30) had a catheter inserted between the parietal and visceral pleura by a surgeon, and 0.2% ropivacaine was given through this catheter. In the TEA group, ropivacaine was administered through a thoracic epidural catheter. The impact of both methods on pain control, respiratory function, and pulmonary complications was analyzed and compared.
Main Results:
The frequency of atelectasis and pleural effusion was also significantly high in the IP group (P < 0.01). Respiratory function and postoperative pain scores were better in the TEA group (P < 0.01). Arterial blood gas analysis on the fifth postoperative day was significantly better in the TEA group.
Conclusion:
Thoracic epidural analgesia has more beneficial effects on respiratory function and postoperative pain after thoracotomy than does IP.
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