Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is associated with significant postoperative pain despite lower morbidity compared with thoracotomy. Adequate pain management is essential within Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways to preserve respiratory function and facilitate postoperative recovery. Surgical intercostal block performed under direct vision is a simple and effective regional analgesic technique commonly used following VATS. However, the optimal timing of intercostal block administration during surgery remains uncertain. This prospective randomized double-blind study will compare surgical intercostal block performed at the beginning versus the end of the surgical procedure. The study aims to evaluate the effect of block timing on postoperative pain intensity and postoperative opioid consumption. The results may help optimize multimodal analgesic strategies in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
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Postoperative pain intensity during the first 24 hours following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: At 24 hours postoperatively
Postoperative pain intensity during the first hour following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: At 1 hour postoperatively
Postoperative pain intensity during the first 6 hours following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: At 6 hours postoperatively
Postoperative pain intensity during the first 12 hours following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: At 12 hours postoperatively