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Thoracotomy is considered one of the most painful operative procedures. Due to anatomical complexity, post-thoracotomy pain requires multimodal perioperative treatment to adequately manage to ensure proper postoperative recovery. There are several different strategies to control post-thoracotomy pain including interventional techniques, such as neuraxial and regional injections, and conservative treatments including medications, massage therapy, respiratory therapy, and physical therapy. This article describes different strategies and evidence base for their use.

Diagnosis and treatment of complex regional pain syndrome in children is one of the most challenging clinical pain problems encountered in the chronic pain setting. Despite the intense and debilitating nature of the pain, referral to appropriate specialists often comes too late, thereby prolonging an already arduous (and controversial) course of treatment and risking long-term disability. On the contrary, full recovery can be expected with early diagnosis and prompt treatment. The following case study describes a novel and successful use of intrathecal catheter administration of ropivacaine in a child with early, rapidly progressing, and debilitating complex regional pain syndrome.

IMPLICATIONS Birth defects can affect the great vessels of the aorta and its branches, compressing the upper airway and the swallowing track. Surgical repair of these defects requires manipulating the airway to improve surgical exposure. This is a report of a series of cases with compromised airway resulting from such a birth defect and methods of its management.

Implications We report a case of a patient who developed membranous tracheal disruption after severe vomiting. He subsequently required urgent colectomy for toxic megacolon under general anesthesia. With this challenging situation, we were able to successfully conduct general anesthesia in the presence of tracheal laceration, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum.