Cryo Nerve Block Trial

AtriCure's cryoICE cryoSPHERE probe will be inserted through one of the incisions used for VATS/RATS. Cryo-analgesia will be performed unilaterally on the intercostal nerve at the level Th3-Th7. Thus, cryo-analgesia will be applied on 5 intercostal levels. The probe will be placed at the inferior aspect of the ribs, posterior to the mid-axillary line, directly on the neurovascular bundle. One freezing cycle takes approximately 2 minutes and a temperature of between minus 50 and 70 degrees Celsius will be applied.

Our standard postoperative pain management plan consists of intercostal nerve block, patient controlled analgesia and acetaminophen