Intraoperative intercostal nerve cryoablation during the Nuss procedure reduces length of stay and opioid requirement: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose

Minimally-invasive repair of pectus excavatum by the Nuss procedure is associated with significant postoperative pain, prolonged hospital stay, and high opiate requirement. We hypothesized that intercostal nerve cryoablation during the Nuss procedure reduces hospital length of stay (LOS) compared to thoracic epidural analgesia.

Design

This randomized clinical trial evaluated 20 consecutive patients undergoing the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum between May 2016 and March 2018. Patients were randomized evenly via closed-envelope method to receive either cryoanalgesia or thoracic epidural analgesia. Patients and physicians were blinded to study arm until immediately preoperatively.

Setting

Single institution, UCSF-Benioff Children's Hospital.

Participants

20 consecutive patients were recruited from those scheduled for the Nuss procedure. Exclusion criteria were age 

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