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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 671-675 |
| Journal | Muscle and Nerve |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
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Keywords
- neuropathic pain
- pain management
- persistent pain
- postoperative pain
- surgery
- surgical neurolysis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Clinical Neurology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Physiology (medical)
Cite this
Intercostal Neurolysis for The Treatment of Postsurgical Thoracic Pain : a Case Series. / Cappellari, Alberto M.; Tiberio, Francesca; Alicandro, Gianfranco; Spagnoli, Diego; Grimoldi, Nadia.
In: Muscle and Nerve, Vol. 58, No. 5, 2018, p. 671-675.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Intercostal Neurolysis for The Treatment of Postsurgical Thoracic Pain
T2 - a Case Series
AU - Cappellari, Alberto M.
AU - Tiberio, Francesca
AU - Alicandro, Gianfranco
AU - Spagnoli, Diego
AU - Grimoldi, Nadia
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - neuropathic pain
KW - pain management
KW - persistent pain
KW - postoperative pain
KW - surgery
KW - surgical neurolysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85054313415&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85054313415&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/mus.26298
DO - 10.1002/mus.26298
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85054313415
VL - 58
SP - 671
EP - 675
JO - Muscle and Nerve
JF - Muscle and Nerve
SN - 0148-639X
IS - 5
ER -