ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on acute and chronic post-surgical pain in patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy.MethodsA total of 94 patients, who underwent elective unilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic lobotomy from August 2021 to December 2021 were randomly divided into general anesthesia group (group A,n= 46) and ESPB combined with general anesthesia group (group B,n= 48) by computer. Patient controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA) was performed in both groups after operation. The numerical rating scale(NRS) of rest and cough pain at post anesthesia care unit(PACU), 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 and 48 h after operation, frequency of PCIA in 24 h after operation, frequency of rescue analgesia, patient satisfaction, adverse reactions and complications were recorded in the two groups. Incidence of chronic pain at 3 months and 6 months after operation, the effect of daily life and rating of chronic pain management measures were recorded in the two groups.ResultsCompared with group A, rest and cough NRS score at 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 and 48 h after surgery, frequency of PCIA use at 24 h after surgery, frequency of rescue analgesia were significantly decreased in group B (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference in NRS scores of rest and cough at PACU after operation between 2 groups after surgery at post anesthesia care unit (P> 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative chronic pain between the 2 groups(P> 0.05);The effect of postoperative chronic pain on daily life and pain management measures in group B were significantly lower than those in group A(P< 0.05). Compared with group A, patients in group B had higher satisfaction degree, lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV), and lower incidence of agitation during anesthesia recovery (P< 0.05). There were no pneumothorax, hematoma and toxicity of local anesthetic in the 2 groups.ConclusionUltrasound-guided erector spinae plane block can significantly reduce acute post-surgical pain, can not reduce the incidence of chronic post-surgical pain, but can significantly reduce the severity of chronic pain in patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy.Trial registrationChiCTR2100050313,date of registration:26/08/2021