Post-Thoracotomy Paın Management

Thoracotomy is a very painful procedure which may be performed for a bunch of reasons. Pain following thoracotomy incision is multifactorial and difficult to treat. Treatment of postthoracotomy pain not only provides patient comfort but also prevents postoperative pulmonary morbidity. Chronic post-thoracotomy pain has a serious negative impact on the quality of life. Although thoracic epidural analgesia has been traditionally accepted as the gold standard, paravertebral block has been gaining popularity in recent time. This review attempts to investigate the treatment options for post-thoracotomy pain.