Editing Thoracotomy (section)

==Post-thoracotomy pain==
Thoracic epidural analgesia or paravertebral blockade have shown to be the most effective methods for post-thoracotomy pain control. However, contraindications to neuraxial anesthesia include hypovolemia, shock, increase in ICP, coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia, sepsis, or infection at puncture site. Comparing thoracic epidural analgesia and paravertebral blockade, paravertebral blockade reduced the risks of developing minor complications, however paravertebral blockade was as effective as thoracic epidural blockade in controlling acute pain.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Yeung JH, Gates S, Naidu BV, Wilson MJ, Gao Smith F | title = Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2 | issue = 2 | pages = CD009121 | date = February 2016 | pmid = 26897642 | pmc = 7151756 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD009121.pub2 | collaboration = Cochrane Anaesthesia Group }}</ref> [[Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation]] has also shown to be useful in the management of post-thoracotomy pain. Specifically, it has been found to be a good adjunct in the management of moderate to severe post-thoracotomy pain and effective as a lone modality in mild post-thoracotomy pain (e.g. after video-assisted thoracoscopy).<ref>Ferreira, FC, et al. Assessing the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in post-thoracotomy analgesia. Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2011 Sep-Oct;61(5):561-7, 308-10. {{doi|10.1016/S0034-7094(11)70067-8}}.</ref>