Intercostal Nerve Cryoablation
Intercostal nerve cryoablation (INC) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a cryoprobe to freeze and temporarily block intercostal nerves to manage pain.
When is the procedure recommended?
- INC can be used to treat pain after chest surgery, such as lung surgery, lung transplants, rib fracture repair, and esophagectomies.
- The procedure can also be used to manage pain after other procedures and provide analgesia / relief for traumatic rib fractures.
How is the procedure performed?
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia using CT imaging guidance. The interventional radiologist uses places the cryoprobe in the intercostal space. The tip of the probe is cooled to a temperature of −60°C to −70°C and left in place for a period of 2–8 minutes, depending on the technique. Freezing disables the nerve without damaging its protective structure, allowing it to regrow over time. There will be some numbness that will gradually fade, starting from the side and moving towards the sternum.
What are the benefits?
- INC can help reduce pain and shorten hospital stays after chest surgery.
- The procedure can be helpful in reducing postoperative pain in adults undergoing thoracotomy.
- INC can also reduce inpatient opioid and epidural use after lung transplants or other procedures.