Abstract: Objective To investigate the postoperative analgesic effect of ropivacaine intercostal nerve block after thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods A total of 95 patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy under general anesthesia from January 2023 to January 2024 were selected. According to random number table method, 47 cases in the experimental group were treated with ropivacaine intercostal nerve block, and 48 cases in the control group were treated with erector spinae plane block. The two groups were compared in terms of intraoperative vital signs [heart rate （HR） and mean arterial pressure （MAP）] at selected time points, pain at rest and coughing within 48 h after surgery [by numerical rating scale （NRS）], and postoperative recovery. Results Before the block, there was no significant difference in HR and MAP between the two groups （P>0.05）. After induction of intubation, at skin incision, and extubation, the MAP and HR in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.05）. The NRS scores at rest and coughing at 1, 3, 6, and 12 h after surgery in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.05）. The time of first oral feeding, time of flatus, time of getting out of bed, and days of hospitalization after surgery in the experimental group were significantly shorter than those in the control group （P<0.05）. Conclusion Ropivacaine intercostal nerve block could yield better anagesic effect for patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy than erector spinae plane block, and can facilitate postoperative recovery.

Key words: Ropivacaine, Intercostal nerve block, Thoracoscopic lobectomy