Opioid Requirements After Intercostal Cryoanalgesia in Thoracic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal approach to pain management after thoracic surgery remains poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia and postoperative opioid requirements after thoracic surgery. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of all patients who underwent unilateral thoracic surgery for pulmonary pathology from June 2017 to August 2019. Patients receiving intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia were compared with standard analgesia. The primary outcome was total oral morphine equivalent consumption during hospitalization, at discharge, and 90 d postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain scores and pulmonary function measured on postoperative days 1 and 3, at discharge, and postoperative complications. Planned subgroup analysis by opioid exposure and surgical approach was performed. RESULTS: The Wilcoxon rank-sum test demonstrated significantly less inpatient opioid use for cryoanalgesia patients (45 versus 305 mg, P < 0.001), regardless of opioid history (naïve: 22.5 versus 209.8 mg, P < 0.001; tolerant: 159.5 versus 1043 mg, P < 0.001) and minimally invasive approach (opioid naïve: 26.2 versus 209.8 mg, P < 0.001; tolerant: 158.5 versus 1059 mg, P < 0.001). Opioid-naïve patients required fewer discharge opioids (50 versus 168 mg; P < 0.05). Cryoanalgesia lowered daily pain scores (P < 0.001) and showed a trend toward lower 90-d opioid prescriptions and higher pulmonary function scores. There was no difference in postoperative complications (P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an association between intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia and reduced inpatient opioid requirements and pain in opioid-naïve and tolerant patients. Pulmonary function, 90-d opioid prescriptions, and adverse events were no different between groups. It may serve as a useful adjunct for opioid-sparing pain management in thoracic surgery.

Intercostal cryonerve block versus elastomeric infusion pump for postoperative analgesia following surgical stabilization of traumatic rib fractures.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with blunt thoracic trauma requiring surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) frequently experience severe pain. Further, a rising prevalence of opioid-tolerant patients sustain traumatic injuries. The optimal pain management adjunct for concurrent use with SSRF remains uncertain. This study compared outcomes in patients undergoing SSRF with concomitant cryonerve block (CryoNB) or ropivacaine 0.2% elastomeric infusion pump (EIP). METHODS: A single-center retrospective comparative analysis was performed at a level II trauma center. A query of our institution's trauma registry of consecutive patients undergoing SSRF from October 2017 to November 2020 with either intercostal CryoNB or ropivacaine 0.2% EIP was conducted. Opioid consumption in oral morphine equivalents (OME), patient-reported pain scores by numerical rating scale, and pulmonary function measured by incentive spirometry effort (mL) were collected at baseline and on postoperative days 1-3. Results were analyzed using a linear-mixed-effects model. Length of stay (LOS), complications, and hospital charges were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients meeting inclusion criteria were evaluated. Patient demographics, injury, and surgical variables were similar between groups. The estimated effect for patients treated with CryoNB (n = 14) compared to EIP (n = 12) demonstrated a 25% (estimated -1.37 OME, 95% CI, -2.411 to -0.335, p = 0.01) reduction in hospital opioid requirements, fewer discharge opioids (41.3 mg (37.5-45) versus 175 mg (150- 200), p = 0.03), 22% (estimated -1.506, 95% CI, -2.722 to -0.290, p = 0.02) reduction in pain scores, and shorter postoperative LOS (4 days (4-5) versus 6 days (5-9.5), p = 0.04). Pulmonary function (estimated -48.8 mL, 95% CI, -312.74 to 215.05, p = 0.71), total hospital costs (CryoNB: $90,224 ± 34,633; EIP: $131,498 ± 73,072, p = 0.07), and complications were no different between cohorts. CONCLUSION: The addition of intercostal CryoNB as an adjunct to multimodal pain management in trauma patients undergoing surgical fixation of rib fractures may be of benefit. Based on our early data, this technique appears to be promising in reducing opioid requirements and providing an extended duration of pain control without increased costs or complications.

Early application of cryoanalgesia to the brachial plexus prevents development of phantom limb pain after traumatic forequarter amputation: A case report.

Background: Amputation of an extremity frequently results in significant phantom limb pain. The etiology of which is not well understood. Central and peripheral factors appear to play a role. Pain relief interventions often are attempted several weeks to months later. Peripheral nerve injury can rapidly result in cortical somatosensory changes potentially making early intervention important in preventing any permanent changes in nerve pathways. Case report: We present a case of traumatic forequarter (interscapulothoracic) amputation treated with cryoanalgesia of the brachial plexus for pain control <72 h after injury. The patient denied painful phantom limb pain and postoperative pain at the surgical site immediately following surgery and over a six month follow up period. Conclusion: Cryoanalgesia facilitates extended duration of pain control of the affected peripheral nerve which may be of particular benefit in patients sustaining either surgical or traumatic amputations, particularly when applied early to prevent the transmission of noxious signals to the central nervous system.

A retrospective analysis of delays in the diagnosis of lung cancer and associated costs.

PURPOSE: Diagnosis of lung cancer at advanced stages can result in missed treatment opportunities, worse outcomes, and higher health care costs. This study evaluated the wait time to diagnose non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the cost of diagnosis and treatment based on the stage at diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult patients diagnosed with NSCLC between January 2007 and September 2011 were identified from a proprietary oncology registry and linked to health insurance claims from a large US health insurance company. Continuous enrollment in the health plan was required for at least 12 months prediagnosis (baseline) and at least 3 months postdiagnosis (follow-up). Use of diagnostic tests and time to diagnosis were examined. The rates of health care utilization and per-patient per-month (PPPM) health care costs were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 1,210 patients with NSCLC were included in the analysis. Most patients (93.6%) had evidence of diagnostic tests beginning 5 to 6 months prior to diagnosis, and most were diagnosed at an advanced stage (23% Stage IIIb and 46% Stage IV). The PPPM total health care costs in USD pre- and postdiagnosis were $2,407±$3,364 (mean±standard deviation) and $16,577±$33,550, respectively. PPPM total health care costs and utilization after lung cancer diagnosis were significantly higher among patients diagnosed at Stage IV disease and lowest among patients diagnosed at Stage I disease ($7,239 Stage I, $9,484 Stage II, $11,193 Stage IIIa, $17,415 Stage IIIb, and $21,441 Stage IV). CONCLUSION: This study showed that most patients experienced long periods of delay between their first diagnostic test for lung cancer and a definitive diagnosis, and the majority were diagnosed at advanced stages of disease. Costs associated with the management of lung cancer increased substantially with higher stages at diagnosis. Procedures that diagnose lung cancer at earlier stages may allow for less resource use and costs among patients with lung cancer.

Routine intracoronary shunting in multivessel off-pump coronary artery bypass: a retrospective review of in-hospital outcomes in 550 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND: Since 1999 our institution has adopted offpump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) for treating the majority of our patients. In the year 2001, 96% of our isolated coronary bypass procedures were performed on the beating heart. Routine use of intracoronary shunts in OPCABG has been a controversial topic. We use routine intracoronary shunting in all cases to maintain distal perfusion and to help achieve hemostasis. METHODS: We reviewed the first 550 OPCABG procedures performed at our institution (July 1998-December 2001) by 2 surgeons currently performing >95% of all coronary bypasses off-pump. All cases were completed with routine intracoronary shunting using Flo-Coil (Guidant, Santa Clara, CA, USA) or Flo-Thru (Bio-Vascular, St Paul, MN, USA) shunts. The mean number of grafts was 3.7. (range, 1-8). In-hospital outcomes in this series of patients were compared to outcomes in 485 patients operated on by the same 2 surgeons using traditional cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic cross-clamping prior to adopting routine OPCABG. Statistical significance was calculated using Pearson chisquare analysis and reported for P values of <.05. RESULTS: The rates of occurrence of postoperative cardiovascular accident, atrial fibrillation, prolonged ventilator time, renal failure, and blood product use and the length of postoperative stay were significantly less in the off-pump group (P <.05). Predicted risk of mortality, observed mortality, and perioperative myocardial infarction rates were not significantly different in the 2 groups (P <.05). The conversion rate was 3.1%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that routine intracoronary shunting in OPCABG is a safe technique that is associated with good myocardial preservation and allows for total revascularization with a low rate of conversion to CPB.

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy performed by thoracic surgeons: one center's early success.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies by pulmonologists have demonstrated that electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) can, with high diagnostic yields and low complication rates, diagnose pulmonary lesions. We believe thoracic surgeons can perform this technique with excellent early results. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the first consecutive 104 patients undergoing diagnostic ENB by 2 thoracic surgeons between April 2008 and October 2009. Procedures utilized general anesthesia and rapid on-site examination (ROSE) of cytopathology. All pulmonary lesions were suspicious for malignancy. Patients having negative biopsies subsequently underwent additional procedures or follow-up imaging. True negative biopsies were defined as lesions removed surgically and proven benign, lesions that disappeared on subsequent imaging, and lesions demonstrating stability over a 2-year period. RESULTS: Of 104 patients, 3 were excluded due to insufficient follow-up. The remaining 101 patients had a median lesion size of 2.8 cm. Sixty-seven (82%) of the 82 lesions that were determined malignant had a positive diagnosis upon ENB. Of the 34 lesions without a positive ENB biopsy, 19 (56%) were categorized as true negatives: 8 had benign surgical biopsies, 6 disappeared, and 5 demonstrated stability. Consequently, 86 of 101 cases had an accurate ENB biopsy for a diagnostic yield of 85%. There was insufficient evidence to demonstrate an association between lesion size and diagnostic accuracy. There were 6 pneumothoraces (5.8%). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible for thoracic surgeons to perform ENB with early success. The high diagnostic yields in this study may be attributed to the routine utilization of ROSE and general anesthesia, which preserves computed tomographic-to-body divergence.