Predicting postoperative pain in lung cancer patients using preoperative peak alpha frequency

Editor—Thoracotomy incisions used to gain access to the thoracic organs, lead to chronic pain in an estimated 25–60% of cases.1 Considerable nerve damage is common in thoracotomy, as rib retractors used in this operation block conduction of intercostal nerves near the incision by 50–100%.2 Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), an alternative to conventional thoracotomy, involves less nerve damage owing to smaller incisions and no rib retraction, and is associated with increased tolerability for patients and better patient outcomes.