Intraoperative cryoanalgesia for postthoracotomy pain relief.
In a randomized study, 63 patients were investigated for the benefits of cryoanalgesia after thoracotomy. Analgesia and its dependent effects such as enhancement of mobility, respiratory function, and reduced need of narcotics were evaluated. No significant differences in these variables were observed between the cryoanalgesia group and the control group. However, moderate to severe neuralgia was found in a number of patients in the cryoanalgesia group in the late postoperative period. Cryoanalgesia for pain relief after thoracotomy is not recommended.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second University Surgical Clinic, Innsbruck University, Austria.
L C
LC
Müller
G M
GM
Salzer
G
G
Ransmayr
A
A
Neiss
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013908:Thoracotomy