The Effects of Ultrasound-guided Serratus Plane Block During Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy

Thoracotomy is known as one of the most painful surgery. Thus, there is a development to reduce surgical stress in terms of operation technique, which is video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Although it has reduced postoperative pain and complications compared with thoracotomy, VATS is still quite painful operation. Serratus plane block is a novel technique which provide analgesic effect for lateral chest wall by blocking lateral branch of intercostal nerve. It has been reported to be used for pain management including rib fracture, herpes zoster, and postoperative pain. It has become a popular analgesic modality because it is easy to perform and relatively safe. However, the effect of serratus plane block during intraoperative period has not yet been studied. In this study, therefore, the investigators decided to assess the effect of serratus plane block on intraoperative opioid consumption, emergence time and hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery.