This pilot study was designed to examine the impact of two different (PVB) infusion types compared to a control (no PVB) on pain management in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Acute and chronic pain over time, perioperative oral morphine milligram equivalent (MME) consumption and patient satisfaction were measured. A protracted enrollment period and participant attrition precluded target enrollment and subsequent power analysis. Further, there was no increased efficacy of the intervention groups over the control group. In fact, the patient-controlled analgesia only group (control) had lower mean and median MME consumption postoperatively. Pain and patient satisfaction scores were similar among all treatment groups at all time points assessed. We characterize our study population, report our results for each treatment group and highlight challenges encountered and lessons learned to aid in the development of future research.
Keywords: Paravertebral Block; Pilot Study; Postoperative Analgesia; Programmed Intermittent Bolus; Thoracic Regional Anesthetic Techniques; Thoracoscopic Surgery.