Post-thoracotomy Pain Control Using Bupivacaine

Relief of the pain is important for reducing patient's discomfort and morbidity after thoracotomy. Post-thoracotomy pain was controlled by pharmacological blockage of the intercostal nerves with bupivacaine in 20 patients. Bupivacaine was infused intermittently through one inwelling cathter, which was placed in the pleural space during the thoracotomy. Pain was well controlled by this procedure.