Timing of nerve-freezing pain relief after Nuss repair for pectus excavatum
How Long Does it Take for Percutaneous Intercostal Cryoneuromodulation to Produce Cryoanalgesia? A Prospective Observational Study.
We will test how quickly a nerve-freezing procedure (percutaneous intercostal cryoneurolysis) reduces chest skin sensitivity in people having Nuss surgery for pectus excavatum.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bergamo, BG) |
| Trial ID | NCT07081620 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Percutaneous intercostal cryoneurolysis is used before Nuss repair to reduce acute postoperative chest pain, but the onset of sensory change is unclear. This observational study will follow patients who receive preoperative cryoneurolysis and perform daily physical exams measuring chest skin sensitivity to soft touch, cold (4°C), and heat (40°C). Examinations will be done on the days following the procedure to document when sensory loss or reduction appears and how it evolves. The study is single-center at Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo and involves no additional interventions beyond standard care and sensory testing.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people scheduled for Nuss repair for pectus excavatum who will receive preoperative percutaneous intercostal cryoneurolysis and can attend the planned follow-up sensory exams.
Not a fit: People who do not receive cryoneurolysis, who have preexisting sensory neuropathy, or who undergo different chest procedures are unlikely to benefit from this study's findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians time pain-management strategies and potentially reduce opioid use after Nuss repair.
How similar studies have performed: Previous cryoneurolysis studies have shown reduced postoperative pain after thoracic procedures including Nuss repair, but the exact time course of sensory change has not been well defined.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who are undergoing preoperative percutaneous intercostal cryoneurolysis for pectus excavatum surgery Exclusion Criteria: * failure to obtain consent
Where this trial is running
Bergamo, BG
- Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital — Bergamo, Bg, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Stefano Mariconti, MD
- Email: smariconti@asst-pg23.it
- Phone: 00390358347
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.