Patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve reconstruction via small thoracotomy are randomized into two groups.

The intervention group receives serratus anterior plane block after minimally invasive mitral-valve reconstruction, following 48h infusion with ropivacaine 2% continually.

The control group receives a placebo pump without infusion. Primary endpoints are perceived pain using a numeric pain rating scale and opioid consumption during the hospital stay.

Inclusion Criteria:

-Planned minimal invasive mitral valve repair via right anterior thoracotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregenancy
• Opioid abuse
• Historyof chronic pain
• Allergy to local anaesthetics (in this case ropivacain)
• Patients who simultaneously participate in another interventional clinical trial, unless the Principal Investigators of the clinical trials give consent by mutual agreement Soft tissue infection in the area of the procedure