Is the Role of Liposomal Bupivacaine the Future of Analgesia for Thoracic Surgery? An Update and Review

PATIENTS undergoing thoracic surgery require extensive surgical incisions or multiple intercostal port incisions and chest tube placements. These can result in severe postoperative pain and can lead to the development of pulmonary complications such as hypoxia, atelectasis, and pulmonary infections. Inadequate pain control can lead to post-thoracotomy pain syndrome, which may continue for years; thus, appropriate pain management is essential after thoracic surgery. For early postoperative pain management after thoracotomy, thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and/or paravertebral block (PVB) have been considered the gold standard.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Review Article Source Type: research