Cryoanalgesia in Patients Undergoing Nuss Repair of Pectus Excavatum: Technique Modification and Early Results

Purpose: The Nuss procedure for surgical correction of pectus excavatum often causes severe postoperative pain. Cryoanalgesia of intercostal nerves is an alternative modality for pain control. We describe our modification of the cryoICE probe that allows for nerve ablation through the ipsilateral chest along with early results utilizing this technique. Methods: To allow for ipsilateral nerve ablation, a 20-French chest tube was cut and secured to the cryoICE probe, thus providing insulation for the malleable end of the probe. A 3-year retrospective review of patients undergoing Nuss repair at our institution was performed. Patients who received cryoanalgesia (cryo, n=6) were compared with a historical control cohort who did not receive cryoanalgesia (nocryo, n=13) during Nuss repair. Hospital length of stay, postoperative narcotic requirement (PNR), and highest postoperative pain score were collected. Results: Both cohorts were similar regarding age, BMI, and pectus index. The cryo group had a significantly less PNR (6.4 versus 17.9 doses, P=.05) and was discharged on average >1 day earlier than nocryo patients (3.7 versus 2.2 days, P=.01). No complications occurred in either group. Conclusions: Our technique modification simplifies previously described approaches to intercostal nerve cryoablation. Patients undergoing this adjunct benefit with less PNR and a faster discharge time.