The effect of different regional analgesia methods on chronic pain after thoracic surgery

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is defined as pain persisting for ≥ 3 months after surgery, severely impairing patients' long-term daily activities and quality of life.

To evaluate the effects of various regional analgesia methods, including thoracic epidural (TE), serratus anterior plane (SAP) block, rhomboid intercostal block (RIB) and paravertebral block (PVB), on the incidence of chronic post-thoracic surgery pain.

A total of 489 patients (240 thoracotomy, 249 VATS) were included in the analysis. The primary outcome measure was the VAS score (postoperative 6^th month), while the secondary outcome measures were the LANSS score (postoperative 6^th month), the use of analgesic medication and descriptive information.

In thoracotomy patients, VAS scores were statistically significantly lower in patients who underwent RIB and SAP block compared to those who underwent TE and patient-controlled anesthesia (PCA). LANSS scores did not differ between the RIB, SAP and TE groups, while higher scores were found in the PCA group. After VATS, VAS scores were statistically significantly lower in patients who underwent RIB, SAP and PVB block compared to the PCA group. LANSS scores were statistically significantly lower in the RIB and SAP block groups than in the PVB and PCA groups.

This study found that patients who received regional anesthesia had lower LANSS scores and VAS values, indicative of neuropathic pain reduction, following thoracotomy and VATS procedures.