Postoperative Analgesia in Thoracic Surgery

Analgesic management in thoracic surgery is a challenge for the anesthesiologist, as thoracotomy is one of the surgical procedures with the most intense postoperative pain, which can impact respiratory function and the patient's subsequent recovery. Epidural analgesia is the gold standard. When epidural catheter placement is not possible, erector spinae plane block is a safe alternative, as the ultrasound target is easily visualized and the injection site is far from the neuraxis, pleura, and major vascular structures. Therefore, this block has been increasingly established in routine clinical practice as an option for patients with additional difficulties or as an alternative technique for those for whom epidural catheter placement is not possible. The main objective of this study is to evaluate postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery. Design and study population A prospective, observational follow-up study will be conducted. ASA I-III patients undergoing scheduled thoracic surgery between November 1 and December 31, 2025, will be included. Their analgesic management will be based on standard clinical practice.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing thoracic surgery between July 1 and October 31, 2020. * Age over 18. * ASA I-III. * Signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * ASA IV-V. * Chronic opioid treatment or treatment in the Chronic Pain Unit. * Intravenous drug abuse. * Local anesthetic allergy. * Language barrier, cognitive impairment, or inability to participate in clinical assessment during the study. * BMI \35 kg/m2