Abstract: Clinical Study of Intercostal Cryoanalgesia in Post-thoracotomy Analgesia in Aged Patients Mingjiang Li1, Weidong Zhang, Xuhui Wang, Xiaoping Li, Xiang Liu, Dongmei Yan Tianjin First Central Hospital Abstract Objective：The aim of this study was to investigate the value of intercostal cryoanalgesia in aged patients undergoing thoracotomy. Methods: 190 patients（age>60） were randomized into two groups: group A (cryoanalgesia group ,n = 91) and an group B (intravenous patient-controlled analgesia group,n = 99). Subjective pain intensity was assessed on a Prince-Henry score after operation. The intensity and the incidence of postoperation pain, the analgesic requirements, as well as the blood gas values and Chronic pain were evaluated and recorded. Results：In group A there was a statistically significant improvement in pain scores, reduction in consumption of pethidne, increase in values of partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), reduction in the incidence of complications (P<0.05). There were no significant changes in operation time and chronic pain and numbness (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia could effectively relief the postoperative pain, promote postoperative recovery in elderly patients and should be commonly used.

Key words: intercostal cryoanalgesia, analgesia, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia, aged, post-thoracotomy