Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025

Author Spotlight: A Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Multimodal Analgesia and Sevoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia
Published on: May 26, 2023
The effects of different analgesic methods on chronic pain in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic
Xiaoning Zhao1, Weijie Xiao1, Tianhao Zhang1
1Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Introduction:
Thoracic epidural block, paravertebral block, and intercostal nerve block have been confirmed to alleviate acute pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). In contrast, little is known about the effects of these methods on chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP).
Aim:
To investigate the effects of epidural block, paravertebral block, and intercostal nerve block on postoperative chronic pain in patients undergoing VATS.
Material And Methods:
A total of 240 patients undergoing VATS were randomly divided into 4 groups: an epidural group, paravertebral group, intercostal group, and a control group. All patients were interviewed after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months to investigate the incidence and severity of CPSP.
Results:
The epidural group had lower incidence of chronic pain within 6 months and it was less severe within 3 months compared with the control group. The incidence and intensity of chronic pain within 3 months were lower in the intercostal group than in the control group. The incidence and intensity of pain within 1 month of surgery were lower in the paravertebral group than in the control group. Of the 122 patients who developed pain after 1 month, 93 (76.2%) reported chronic pain after 12 months, and only 9 (11.7%) had chronic pain after 12 months despite reporting no pain at 1 month.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of CPSP after VATS is high. Epidural block, paravertebral block, and intercostal nerve block can all reduce the incidence and severity of CPSP, with epidural block showing the best effect. In addition to acute pain, 1-month postoperative pain also exerts a warning effect on CPSP.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Analgesia and Pain Management
General Anesthesia: Overview
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...

