Intercostal block with cryotherapy

A retrospective survey of 70 patients treated from 1982 to 1984 for chronic intercostal pain with cryotherapy to the intercostal nerves is presented. The results with patients suffering from postherpetic neuralgia are so poor that the authors cannot recommend this form of treatment for this condition. The results with patients suffering from thoracic surgical scar pain are significantly better (P less than 0.005) and support the use of the cryoprobe for this condition.