Abstract

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. 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. 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. Surgical intercostal neurolysis may be a promising therapeutic option in patients with chronic neuropathic pain associated with neurological deficits. Muscle Nerve 58: 671-675, 2018.

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