Efficacy of an Erector Spinae Plane Block in VATS/RATS

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female patients * age between 18 to 100 years old * ASA 1-3 * scheduled for VATS * informed consent explained and signed Exclusion Criteria: * Patients \< 18 years old, \> 100 years old * ASA physical status \> 3 * previous cardiac surgery or ipsilateral thoracic surgery * neuropsychiatric diseases * allergy to analgesics or local anesthetics or other medications used in the study * abuse of opioids or sedatives * contraindication to receive regional anesthesia (e.g. coagulation defect) * patients who could not understand the VAS pain-scoring system * patient refusal to follow participation * expected post operative mechanical ventilation * intolerance or allergy to any prescribed medication