Many patients receive either thoracic epidural (TEA) or paravertebral blocks (PVB) to treat post-operative pain in thoracotomy procedures as these techniques remain the gold standard. In contrast to thoracotomy procedures, it is unclear which is the best approach to analgesia is in VATS. A few studies have found no benefit in pain scores, patient satisfaction, pulmonary function, and incidence of side effects when comparing TEA with opioid patient controlled analgesia in VATS. Other studies have found minimal benefit in pain scores with TEA. The PVB has been used as alternative to TEA. One prospective observational study using PVB and continuous intercostal catheter demonstrated lower pain scores in VATS lobectomy. A randomized control trial (RCT) comparing PVB with wound infiltration in VATS lobectomy showed lower pain scores, lower morphine consumption, and higher patient satisfaction. However, both TEA and PVB have potential serious side-effects and complications. Complications of TEA include severe hypotension, epidural abscess, epidural hematomas and spinal cord injury. PVB have less incidence of hypotension but may involve risks like pneumothorax, pleural and vascular puncture, and higher systemic absorption of local anesthetics. PVB is also technically challenging and its spread is not reliable likely due to the presence of the endothoracic fasica. In addition, placement of both TEA and PVB require appropriate discontinuation of anticoagulants. Intercostal nerve blocks have been used as an analgesic alternative to TEA and PVB. One RCT found patients who had received intercostal blocks undergoing bilateral VATS for hyperhidrosis had lower pain scores in the post-anesthesia recovery unit (PACU). A combined retrospective and prospective study examined the analgesic effect and duration of intercostal blocks in patients undergoing VATS. The authors found that intercostal blocks decreased morphine consumption in the first 24 hours and the analgesic effect of the block lasted approximately 16 hours. Intercostal blocks appear to have some analgesic effect in the immediate post-operative period but are short-lived unless a catheter is placed. The standard practice for post-operative pain management for VATS lobectomy at St. Joseph's hospital consists of intercostal blocks performed by the thoracic surgeons at the end of surgery in combination with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).