Intercostal cryonerve block versus elastomeric infusion pump for postoperative analgesia following surgical stabilization of traumatic rib fractures

Objective: Patients with blunt thoracic trauma requiring surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) frequently experience severe pain. Further, a rising prevalence of opioid-tolerant patients sustain traumatic injuries. The optimal pain management adjunct for concurrent use with SSRF remains uncertain. This study compared out-comes in patients undergoing SSRF with concomitant cryonerve block (CryoNB) or ropivacaine 0.2% elastomeric infusion pump (EIP). Methods: A single-center retrospective comparative analysis was performed at a level II trauma center. A query of our institution's trauma registry of consecutive patients undergoing SSRF from October 2017 to November 2020 with either intercostal CryoNB or ropivacaine 0.2% EIP was conducted. Opioid consumption in oral morphine equivalents (OME), patient-reported pain scores by numerical rating scale, and pulmonary function measured by incentive spirometry effort (mL) were collected at baseline and on postoperative days 1-3. Results were analyzed using a linear-mixed-effects model. Length of stay (LOS), complications, and hospital charges were assessed as secondary outcomes.Results: Twenty-six patients meeting inclusion criteria were evaluated. Patient demographics, injury, and surgical variables were similar between groups. The estimated effect for patients treated with CryoNB (n = 14) compared to EIP (n = 12) demonstrated a 25% (estimated-1.37 OME, 95% CI,-2.411 to-0.335, p = 0.01) reduction in hospital opioid requirements, fewer discharge opioids (41.3 mg (37.5-45) versus 175 mg (150-200), p = 0.03), 22% (estimated-1.506, 95% CI,-2.722 to-0.290, p = 0.02) reduction in pain scores, and shorter postoperative LOS (4 days (4-5) versus 6 days (5-9.5), p = 0.04). Pulmonary function (estimated-48.8 mL, 95% CI,-312.74 to 215.05, p = 0.71), total hospital costs (CryoNB: $90,224 +/- 34,633; EIP: $131,498 +/- 73,072, p = 0.07), and complications were no different between cohorts.Conclusion: The addition of intercostal CryoNB as an adjunct to multimodal pain management in trauma patients undergoing surgical fixation of rib fractures may be of benefit. Based on our early data, this technique appears to be promising in reducing opioid requirements and providing an extended duration of pain control without increased costs or complications.