Hello and welcome to HCM! I read carefully about your concern and this is the dilemma of many patients: general/total over regional anaesthesia? This answer is difficult to be given by separate surgeons. The best way to get an answer comes from studying meta-analysis, which is the study of studies, because they increase the precision of the measurement by increasing the number of subject observed. A series of meta-analysis suggest that local (regional) anaesthesia is superior compared to general/systemic anaesthesia in terms of short-term complications. However, it should be accompanied with an effective post-operative analgesic treatment. Since you had problems with the application of general anaesthesia in a previous surgery, then thoracic epidural anaesthesia seems to be a better option for you. I hope my answer was helpful and I wish you a quick recover!