Intraoperative Intercostal Nerve Cryoanalgesia Improves Pain Control After Descending and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repairs.

Background: We reviewed the efficacy of intraoperative intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia for pain control in patients undergoing descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs.

Methods: During 2013 and 2017, 241 patients underwent descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Of those, 38 patients were treated with intraoperative cryoanalgesia to the intercostal nerves at the level of 4th to 10th under electromyography guidance and were compared with patients who did not receive cryoanalgesia.