Garduño-López AL, Torres-Muñoz FE, Sarabia-Collazo ÁA, Acosta-Nava VM

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 207-208
PDF size: 98.26 Kb.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been performed more frequently. Although VATS reduces postoperative pain due to its smaller incisions, pain control after this remains a challenge. Actually there are no specific international recommendations for this procedure where it has been shown that pain in the first 24 hrs does not differ much from that caused by thoracotomy, due to drains are a common denominator between both procedures and are a major cause of significant discomfort among patients, which is why they should have analgesic measures to prevent this type of pain. Another important consideration is the persistence of pain, which can cause post-thoracotomy syndrome that is associated with a significant decrease in quality of life and an increase in the need for long-term pain medication. Effective blockade of neural afferents in the postoperative period reduces acute post-thoracotomy pain and, therefore, may hinder the development of chronic pain. Therefore, effective multimodal management focused on the specific procedure has been suggested to prevent uncontrolled pain in the immediate postoperative period, but above all to limit its persistence in the long term. The use of regional techniques with local anesthetic, such as the blockade of the erector spinae plane, paravertebral block, serratus block and BRILMA (Intercostal branches of the mid-axillary line block), should be sought, according to the needs of each patient, to achieve good pain relief with minimal systemic administration of opioids, as this will improve patient satisfaction and recovery by reducing side effects related to facilitating mobilization, effective physiotherapy and early discharge (visit http://www.painoutmexico.com to see the full article and recommendations diagram).