Thoracotomy Closure Technique and Postoperative Pain Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial

N/ACompletedNCT02063438

University of Michigan255 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to examine pain associated with thoracotomy (incision made during surgery to obtain access to your thoracic cavity) and how the closure technique may influence postoperative pain. Two types of routinely selected thoracotomy closure techniques will be examined; pericostal and intracostal sutures. The investigators hypothesize that intracostal sutures will result in less postoperative and chronic pain as a result of less compression of the intercostal nerve.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

255

Conditions

Hernia Lung Cancer

Interventions

Pericostal suture techniquePROCEDURE

Intracostal suture techniquePROCEDURE

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 99 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing an elective procedure that will include a thoracotomy. * All patients will undergo epidural catheter placement. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous thoracotomy on the operative side. * Previous history of chronic chest pain. * Previous history of thoracic trauma on the operative side. * Less than 18 years of age * Inability to provide informed consent or to complete testing or data collection * Need for a chest wall resection * Patients requiring other incisions in addition to a thoracotomy (i.e., Laparotomy, sternotomy

Locations (1)

University of Michigan Medical Center

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Severity of postoperative pain in the perioperative period.

Time frame: 2 weeks following surgery

Intensity and incidence of chronic post-thoracotomy pain

Time frame: 6 months follwong surgery

Secondary Outcomes

Complication rates between subjects undergoing pericostal versus intracostal thoracotomy closure technique

Time frame: 6 months following surgery

Length of hospital stay and associated hospital costs between subjects undergoing pericostal versus intracostal thoracotomy closure technique

Time frame: 6 months following surgery

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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