Intercostal spinal nerve cryoablation for analgesia following pectus excavatum repair

Semin Pediatr Surg. 2024 Feb;33(1):151382. doi: 10.1016/j.sempedsurg.2024.151382. Epub 2024 Jan 4.

Abstract

Pectus excavatum is a common chest wall deformity, most often treated during adolescence, that presents a significant postoperative pain control challenge for pediatric surgeons following surgical correction. The purpose of this article is to review the technique and outcomes of intercostal spinal nerve cryoablation for postoperative analgesia following surgical correction of pectus excavatum. Contemporary and historic literature were reviewed. Findings are summarized to provide a concise synopsis of the benefits of intercostal spinal nerve cryoablation relative to alternative analgesic modalities, as well as advocate for more widespread inclusion of this technique into multimodal pain regimens.

Keywords: Analgesia; Cryoablation; Nuss repair; Pectus excavatum; Regional anesthesia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Analgesia*
  • Child
  • Cryosurgery* / methods
  • Funnel Chest* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intercostal Nerves / surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Pain, Postoperative / drug therapy
  • Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control
  • Retrospective Studies