Abstract | BACKGROUND: In minimally invasive cardiac surgery use of a lateral minithoracotomy is associated with early postoperative rehabilitation but also relatively high pain levels during the first 3 postoperative days. Cryoablation therapy was evaluated prospectively. METHODS: From April 1999 until September 1999, 57 patients underwent lateral minithoracotomy for mitral valve operation (n = 18) or minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 39). Intraoperatively, patients were randomly assigned to cryoablation or intercostal application of local anesthetic agents. A standardized questionnaire was used for prospective pain assessment on postoperative days 1 to 7. RESULTS: From postoperative day 1 to 7 pain levels declined in all groups. Overall pain levels were significantly lower in the cryo group than in the control group (p < 0.0001, GLM). According to diagnoses, pain levels were significantly lower after MIDCABG and cryo versus control; after mitral valve operation they were lower in the cryo group and almost reached significance. CONCLUSIONS:
Cryoablation is easy to perform and leads to a significant reduction in pain and lower request for additional pain medication after lateral minithoracotomy in minimally invasive cardiac operation.
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Authors | J Bucerius, S Metz, T Walther, N Doll, V Falk, A Diegeler, R Autschbach, F W Mohr |
Journal | The Annals of thoracic surgery
(Ann Thorac Surg)
Vol. 70
Issue 3
Pg. 1100-4
(Sep 2000)
ISSN: 0003-4975 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 11016387
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Anesthetics, Local
(therapeutic use)
- Coronary Artery Bypass
(methods)
- Cryosurgery
- Female
- Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
(methods)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
- Mitral Valve
(surgery)
- Pain, Postoperative
(surgery)
- Thoracotomy
(methods)
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