Epidural catheter placement is the optimal mode of pain control for surgery involving both the chest and abdominal cavity.  When surgery is performed on the lungs and the upper abdominal cavity, pain is often felt every time the patient breathes.  With a well-placed epidural catheter, two important objectives are met.  First, the region involve can be numbed with local anesthetic, and, then, a small amount of morphine-like medication can be infused to help the patient achieve near total pain relief.  When patients have epidural catheters delivering local anesthetic and small doses of morphine-like medications, many benefits are gained for patients in their post-operative recovery.  With near-total pain relief, patients are able to rehabilitate faster, get out of the hospital faster, and get back to their lives faster.  Fast recovery can be achieved, and patients satisfaction maximized with this modality.