The Efficacy of Loco-Regional Ropivacaine Analgesia Via Intercostal Catheters After Lung Resection: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Superiority Study

Current guidelines advocate for surgically placed intercoastal catheters (ICC) for pain optimization following minimally invasive anatomic lung resection. This double-blind, randomized study aimed to determine the efficacy of loco-regional continuous ropivacaine application through ICC as a method of providing analgesia postoperatively. Data was collected between 2021 and 2023, where patients were randomly allocated to receive ropivacaine 0.2 percent (n=14) versus placebo 0.9 percent NaCl(n=18) through an intercostal catheter for 72 hours following VATS resection for confirmed or suspected Stage I cancer (8th UICC). Patients were matched based on preoperative pain scores and other characteristics. Analysis revealed no positive effects of ropivacaine on postoperative pain or morphine requirements.