Background and Purpose: Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome is one of
the major concerns following the thoracic surgery. 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 study and 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 patients in both groups received 60 μg/kg morphine and local anaesthetic (TEA group: 0.125% bupivacaine, TPA group: 0.5% bupivacaine according to Bromage scheme). After the procedure TEA group recieved 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. PCA infusion system was used in both cases. Postthoracotomy pain was assessed in 3 month’s period after the surgery. The quality of life was evaluated with Brief Pain Inventory.
Results and Conlusion: 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