Intercostal Nerve Blockade with Alcohol During Operation for Postthoracotomy Pain

摘要

Purpose of this this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative intercostal nerve blockade (IINB) with alcohol in addition to epidural analgesia with morphine (EAM) for control of postthoracotomy pain syndrome (FTPS). 57 oncological patients undergoing thoracotomy were randomized to receive IINB plus EAM (n = 27) and postoperative EAM only (n = 30). Objective and subjective assessment was carried out at 10 and 30 days postoperatively. Pain was assessed by using a subjective visual pain scale ranging from 1 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain) during coughing. Postsurgical pain was significantly lower in IINB patients group. The mean pain score on the 10 postoperation day was 2.1 and 6.5 accordingly in IINB and EAM patients group. The mean pain score on the 30 day was accordingly 1.5 and 4.2. Conclusion. Additional intraoperative intercostal nerve blockade with alcohol provides an additional benefit for PTPS relief, especially for at least one month following the thoracotomy.