Evolution of Pain Control for Adult Pectus Excavatum Repair

Pain control after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) can be challenging, especially in adult patients undergoing surgical repair. This study reviewed different analgesic modalities used over ≥10 years after pectus repair.

A retrospective analysis was performed of adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent uncomplicated primary MIRPE at a single institution from October 2010 to December 2021. Patients were classified by analgesic modality used: epidural, elastomeric continuous infusion subcutaneous catheters (SC-Caths), and intercostal nerve cryoablation. Comparisons among the 3 groups were performed.

In total, 729 patients were included (mean age, 30.9 ±10.3 years; 67% male; mean Haller index, 4.9 ±3.0). Patients in the cryoablation group required significantly lower doses of morphine equivalents (P < .001) and had overall the shortest hospital stay (mean, 1.9 ±1.5 days; P < .001) with <17% staying >2 days (vs epidural at 94% and SC-Cath at 48%; P < .001). The cryoablation group had a lower incidence of ileus and constipation (P < .001) but a higher incidence of pleural effusion requiring thoracentesis (P = .024). Mean pain scores among groups were minor (<3), and differences were insignificant.

The use of cryoablation in conjunction with enhanced recovery pathways provided significant benefit to our patients undergoing MIRPE compared with previous analgesic modalities. These benefits included a decrease in length of hospital stay, a reduction of in-hospital opioid use, and a lower incidence of opioid-related complications associated with constipation and ileus. Further studies to assess additional potential benefits with long-term follow-up after discharge are warranted.