Dexamethasone and postoperative analgesia in minimally invasive thoracic surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Dexamethasone is commonly used for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and recent reviews suggest a role for dexamethasone in postoperative analgesia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone as an analgesic adjuvant in minimally invasive thoracic surgery. Primary outcome was morphine consumption 24 h after surgery; secondary outcomes were pain control, measured as numeric rating scale (NRS), glycemic changes, PONV, and surgical wound infection.

Postoperative analgesia after pulmonary resection with a focus on video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a widespread technique that has been linked to improved postoperative respiratory function, reduced hospital length of stay and a higher level of tolerability for the patients. Acute postoperative pain is of considerable significance, and the late development of neuropathic pain syndrome is also an issue. As anaesthesiologists, we have investigated the available evidence to optimize postoperative pain management.