Objective:

This study investigated the relationship of the pre-operative neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to the timing of epidural analgesia administration and post-operative acute and chronic pain in thoracotomy.

Materials and methods:

The study was conducted on 60 patients, with NLR ≥ 2 (Group A) and NLR < 2 (Group B). Each group was divided into subgroups pre-emptive analgesia (Group P) and control group (Group C). Epidural analgesic solution was administered as a bolus before the surgical incision in Group P and at the end of the operation in Group C. NRS was questioned postoperatively at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 24th h, 1st, and 3rd months and also additional analgesic needs were recorded.

Results:

In Group A, the pain scores of the patients who received pre-emptive epidural analgesia were lower at the post-operative 2nd, 4th, and 8th h and analgesic consumption was less in the post-operative first 24 h.

Conclusion:

It was observed that pre-emptive epidural analgesia reduced pain levels and additional analgesic consumption in the acute post-operative period in patients with pre-operative NLR ≥ 2.