Introduction: We investigated the possible role of intercostal surgical neurolysis in relieving chronic neuropathic pain refractory to other nonsurgical treatments in patients with postsurgical thoracic pain. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data on patients referred to the Neurosurgery Unit of Policlinic Hospital of Milan. Ten patients (age range, 20-68 years) suffering from neuropathic pain for at least 2 months after thoracic surgery underwent intercostal neurolysis. Results: Compared with preneurolysis, pain intensity decreased 1 month postneurolysis and remained stable 2 months postneurolysis (median score [interquartile range]: 8 [6-9] preneurolysis, 4 [3-5] 1 month after, and 3 [2-5] 2 months after, P < 0.001). Antiepileptic drugs for pain control decreased after neurolysis. Discussion: Surgical intercostal neurolysis may be a promising therapeutic option in patients with chronic neuropathic pain associated with neurological deficits.

Intercostal neurolysis for the treatment of postsurgical thoracic pain: A case series / A.M. Cappellari, F. Tiberio, G. Alicandro, D. Spagnoli, N. Grimoldi. - In: MUSCLE & NERVE. - ISSN 0148-639X. - 58:5(2018 Nov), pp. 671-675. [10.1002/mus.26298]

Intercostal neurolysis for the treatment of postsurgical thoracic pain: A case series

G. Alicandro;
2018

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated the possible role of intercostal surgical neurolysis in relieving chronic neuropathic pain refractory to other nonsurgical treatments in patients with postsurgical thoracic pain. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data on patients referred to the Neurosurgery Unit of Policlinic Hospital of Milan. Ten patients (age range, 20-68 years) suffering from neuropathic pain for at least 2 months after thoracic surgery underwent intercostal neurolysis. Results: Compared with preneurolysis, pain intensity decreased 1 month postneurolysis and remained stable 2 months postneurolysis (median score [interquartile range]: 8 [6-9] preneurolysis, 4 [3-5] 1 month after, and 3 [2-5] 2 months after, P < 0.001). Antiepileptic drugs for pain control decreased after neurolysis. Discussion: Surgical intercostal neurolysis may be a promising therapeutic option in patients with chronic neuropathic pain associated with neurological deficits.
neuropathic pain; pain management; persistent pain; postoperative pain; surgery; surgical neurolysis
Settore MED/27 - Neurochirurgia
nov-2018
11-lug-2018
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/582597
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