Post-operative management
Post-operative analgesia was based on an epidural or paravertebral catheter that was inserted preoperatively, with a continuous bupivacaine and fentanyl infusion during the first 2 or 3 days, as well as intravenous analgesia as needed. Afterwards, oral paracetamol and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs were administered. Nursing care was also homogeneous in all cases and included incentive spirometry. All the patients were included in our specific pre- and postoperative chest physiotherapy programme, described elsewhere [