COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT : SINGLE-SHOT REGIONALANESTHESIA VERSUS PERINEURALCATHETER IN THORACICSURGERY

Postoperative pain management plays a vital role in patient recovery after thoracic surgery. Uncontrolled pain can lead to numerous adverse outcomes, including increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and decreased patient satisfaction. Chronic postoperative pain, when left unmanaged, can develop into persistent pain syndromes, further complicating recovery. Techniques like single-shot regional anesthesia (SSRA) and perineural catheters (PC) are commonly used to manage postoperative pain effectively. Historically, pain management has evolved significantly over the last few decades. Initially, systemic opioids were the primary means of alleviating postoperative pain, but advancements now prioritize regional anesthesia techniques, which offer targeted relief with potentially fewer systemic side effects. Local anesthetics, unlike opioids, do not often carry a risk of addiction and can diminish the need for opioid administration, paving the way for safer patient management strategies. Through extensive research, evidence suggests that perineuralcath eters may offer superior pain control, resulting in lower requirements for rescue analgesics and enhanced recovery experiences. Additionally, perineural catheters can facilitate earlier mobilization post-surgery, a critical factor in reducing complications such as deep veinthrombosis and pulmonaryembolism.This article systematically examines existingliterature, aiming to compare SSRA and PC concern inganalgesic efficacy, sideeffects, complications, and patient satisfaction, ultimatel yadvocating for their role in managing postoperative pain in thoracic surgery.