Ultrasound-guided percutaneous intercostal nerve cryoneurolysis for analgesia following traumatic rib fracture-a case series

Abstract

Background: Rib fractures are a common injury in trauma patients and account for significant morbidity and mortality within this population. Local anesthetic-based nerve blocks have been demonstrated to provide significant pain relief and reduce complications. However, the analgesia provided by these blocks is limited to hours for single injection blocks or days for continuous infusions, while the duration of this pain often lasts weeks. Case: This case series describes five patients with rib fractures whose pain was successfully treated with cryoneurolysis. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis is a modality that has the potential to provide analgesia matching the duration of pain following rib fractures.