Cryoablation of Intercostal Nerves Decreased Narcotic Usage After Thoracic or Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

To improve surgical pain control through cryoablation of intercostal nerves and reduce narcotic usage in patients undergoing open thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA or TAAA) repair. From 2012-2018, 117 patients underwent open repair of TAA or TAAA. Of those patients, 25(21%) received cryoablation (2016-2018) of their intercostal nerves and 92(79%) did not (2012-2018). The primary outcome was pain scores and narcotic usage from extubation day 1 to 10 or the day of discharge. The median age (57 years), demographics, and preoperative comorbidities were not significantly different between the two groups. The cryoablation group had significantly more incidences of thoracoabdominal incisions (52% vs. 28%), urgent operations (32 % vs. 11%), and longer duration of chest tubes compared to the non-cryoablation group (all p