title: [Continuous regional analgesia in thoracic surgery].
abstract: The aim of the present work was to describe the development and results of continuous regional analgesia protocols in post-operative analgesia after thoracic surgery. All patients submitted to thoracic surgery had continuous thoracic epidural or continuous thoracic paravertebral blocks with adequate analgesia without severe side effects. The program provided training of the entire staff, implementation of protocols for safe pain control, with standard policies and procedures on records of analgesia and on treatment of its side effects. The use of demanding continuous regional analgesia techniques is possible, but requires systematic assessment by trained personal, training of medical and nursing staff, clear distribution of responsibilities, use of printed indications, systematic records of pain and complications, education of patients and continuous quality control and revision of methods.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Anestesiologia do Hospital de S. João Centro de Cirurgia Torácica do Hospital de S. João.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hora Gomes
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures