[Comparison of thoracic epidural and paravertebral analgesia for postoperative pain control after thoracotomy].

Objectives: In the present randomized, controlled, and blinded study, the effects of thoracic paravertebral analgesia were compared to those of epidural analgesia on postoperative pain, hemodynamics, and respiration rate following thoracotomy.

Methods: Patients scheduled for elective open-lung surgery were included. One hour prior to surgery, thoracic epidural catheters were used in 18 patients (ED group), and ultrasound-guided paravertebral catheters were used in 17 patients (PV group).