Para-vertebral Dexmedetomidine and the Incidence of Postoperative Chronic Pain

Para-Vertebral Dexmedetomidine in Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgeries for Acute and Chronic Pain Prevention; A Randomized Double Blinded Clinical Trial

Up to our knowledge there is no study focused upon the incidence of post VATS chronic pain when dexmedetomidine is used.

Most Video-Assisted Throcoscopy Surgery (VATS) procedures are considered low-risk interventions requiring short hospital stays or even outpatient settings. Because of these factors, VATS did not raise as much interest as thoracotomy in its postoperative pain management. However, it is a fact that pain following VATS can be severe and long-lasting .According to Richardson and colleagues, 38% of VATS procedures present persistent pain two months after surgery as a result of acute nerve damage during the surgical procedure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ASA II-III
• Adult
• Video-assisted thoracic surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient refusal
• Allergy to medication
• Coagulopathy
• Malformation