Many of the thoracic operations that previously required a thoracotomy incision can now be performed with several small incisions and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Although there have been reports of less pain and less impairment of pulmonary function with VATS compared with thoracotomy, many VATS patients report significant acute and chronic postoperative pain. Treating thoracoscopic pain effectively and minimizing the later development of chronic pain requires familiarity with a wide spectrum of analgesic techniques.
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