A Patient's Guide to Lung Surgery

Thoracotomy: Anesthesia

The anesthesiologist can discuss the type of medications you'll be given during the procedure and answer your questions. General anesthesia lets you sleep and keeps you free from pain during surgery.

You may also receive an epidural, a thin, flexible tube, in your lower back. Medication flows through the tube to help relieve pain. Epidural medications can interfere with the muscle control in your lower body, so you may receive a bladder catheter to help drain your urine while the epidural is in place.

Other pain-relieving procedures, such as a nerve block, may be done during the surgery.

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