Overview
This study aims to compare the costotransverse foramen block (CTFB) with thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) in patients undergoing thoracotomy for lung cancer.
Description
Thoracotomy is known to be one of the most painful surgeries. Managing post-thoracotomy pain is a major clinical challenge, as about 75% of patients report moderate to severe pain afterward.
Various regional and central analgesia techniques, such as thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), and erector spinae plane block (ESPB), are employed in a multimodal approach. Although TEA has traditionally been considered the gold standard for thoracotomy pain control, concerns about its side effects have prompted the exploration of alternatives.
The costotransverse foramen block (CTFB), a recently introduced technique, has been examined in both cadaveric and case studies.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age \> 18 years and ≤ 65 years old.
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II-III.
- Body mass index 18-35 kg/m2.
- Patients scheduled for thoracotomies for lung cancer.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patient refusal.
- History of sensitivity to local anesthetics.
- History of psychological disorders.
- Contraindication to regional anesthesia, e.g., local sepsis, pre-existing peripheral neuropathies, and coagulopathy.
- Severe respiratory, cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease.
- Morbid obesity.
- Uncooperative patients.
- Patients on chronic pain therapy.