Randomized Prospective Study Comparing Paravertebral Catheters, Single Shot Paravertebral Block, Thoracic Epidural, for Postoperative Analgesia Following Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

All patients will be consented on the morning of surgery. All the thoracic epidurals and ultrasound-guided paravertebral blocks will be placed preoperatively. The procedures will be done using sterile technique with masks, hats, and sterile gloves. All procedures will be placed under the supervision of the attending anesthesiologist on the acute pain service or the attending anesthesiologist in the operating room.

Thoracic epidurals will be placed using the Arrow thoracic epidural kit. The epidural will be placed at the appropriate level to cover the entry site for the VATS procedure. Placement will be determined by anatomical landmarks. The epidural needle will be advanced toward the epidural space utilizing a Paramedian approach and loss-of-resistance technique. A sterile catheter will then be secured in place and the epidural infusion will be started at the end of the case.

Ultrasound guided paravertebral catheter and single shot paravertebral block will be accomplished using an ultrasound transducer at the thoracic level. This will be done using an in-plane or out-of-plane approach, at the discretion of the anesthesia staff performing the procedure. Then a needle will be inserted the needle into the paravertebral space and local anesthetic injected. Then a catheter will be placed within the injectate and secured in place in the case of the paravertebral catheter. The 0.2% Ropivicaine will be delivered by OnQ pump.

General anesthesia will be induced and the patient will be placed in the lateral position for the VATS procedure. The patients will be intubated with dual lumen endotracheal tubes and placed on one-lung ventilation for the procedure.

All patients will receive intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA hydromorphone) post-operatively for breakthrough pain. They will also be scheduled on PO acetaminophen. PO oxycodone PRN will be started on POD 1 once patients tolerate diet.