For patients assigned to active group, Lidocaine patch 5% (Lidoderm®, Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc, Malvern, PA, USA) measuring 10 x 14 cm and containing 700 mg of Lidocaine, was applied to cover the planned skin incision, marked with a pen by surgeon. Patch was applied for 12 hours during the night, removed for the subsequent 12 hours during the day, and then a new patch was applied at the same level the night after. This process was continued for 3 days before thoracotomy. In the control group, a placebo patch, that was identical in appearance to the active patch but did not contain Lidocaine, was applied in the same manner for the same time. The pain service, surgical team, and patients were all blinded to treatment group assigned.