ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE
Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) is one of the major concerns following the thoracic surgery; it is defined as a persistent pain two months after the procedure and affects quality of life. Our study was aimed to compare two methods of regional analgesia in development of this syndrome as well as establish the quality of life in both groups.
PATIENTS and METHODS
50 patients undergoing thoracotomy were enrolled in the prospective randomised study. They were randomized to thoracic paravertebral cathether analgesia group (group TPA; 25 patients) and to thoracic epidural analgesia group (group TEA; 25 patients). Before induction of anaesthesia and start of the surgery patients in both groups received 60 mg/kg morphine and local anaesthetic (TEA group: 0.125% bupivacaine, TPA group: 0.5% bupivacaine according to Bromage scheme). After the procedure TEA group received a mixture, composed of morphine 10 mg, bupivacaine 125 mg and clonidine 0.15 mg/100 mL saline; the rate of infusion was 0.05 mL/kg/h. TPA group received another mixture, composed of morphine 10 mg, bupivacaine 250 mg and clonidine 0.15 mg/100 mL saline; the rate of infusion was the same as already noted above. Post-thoracotomy pain was assessed in three-month period after the surgery. The quality of life was evaluated with Brief Pain Inventory.
RESULTS
Post-thoracotomy pain was experienced in 52, 25% of all the patients (TPA group 47, 37%, TEA group 57, 14%). No differences in assessment of post-thoracotomy pain were observed in TPA group as compared to TEA group. No differences in the quality of life were observed between two groups.
CONCLUSION
Both methods – thoracic paravertebral and epidural analgesia - are comparable in development of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome. The quality of life after procedure is comparable in both groups.
KEY WORDS
post-thoracotomy pain syndrome, anterolateral thoracotomy, paravertebral cathether, epidural cathether, quality of life
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