Does a Multimodal No-Compression Suture Technique of the Intercostal Space Reduce Chronic Postthoracotomy Pain? A Prospective Randomized Study

The authors investigated an intercostal nerve protection technique compared to standard surgical management of the intercostal space during thoracotomy in a randomized trial.  The nerve protection technique resulted in significantly less pain at 1 day, 1 month and 6 months.  At 1 month and 6 months both spirometry and 6 min walk distance were significantly better in the nerve protection group.