Evaluation of Chronic Pain After Nerve Section During Thoracotomy

Post Thoracotomy Pain After Nerve Section

The purpose of this study is to investigate if controlled nerve section reduces chronic pain after thoracotomy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients included for anterior or lateral thoracotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to give consent due to age, cognitive reduction or otherwise
• Neurological disease or symptoms affection thoracic area
• Chronic pain prior to surgery
• Inability to supply the patient with an epidural catheter
• Pneumonectomy
• Prolonged infection at surgical site
• Invasive tumor growth
• Need for repeated surgery at site