Selection of anesthetic agents for thoracotomy

The selection of anesthetic agents for thoracotomy requires consideration of multiple factors. The goals of anesthetic management are to choose an anesthetic plan that will allow not only for appropriate intraoperative conditions but also for rapid extubation and adequate pain control so that the perioperative course will have the least possible associated risk of morbidity and mortality. A patient's pre-existing medical condition must be optimized. Length and type of surgical procedure, as well as the patient's medical status, determine anesthetic technique and agents.