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Pain Management After Pectus Surgery

Patients at the Nuss Center have access to a variety of methods of pain control during and after surgery. Our Nuss Center team works closely with you and our anesthesiologists to develop an optimal pain management plan specifically for your child. This collaborative approach has proved effective managing pain after surgery.

Pain management techniques we use include:

Transthoracic Cryoanalgesia 

This method provides long-lasting pain relief with a single application during the surgery and can last for several weeks after surgery.  

Paravertebral Nerve Blocks 

This safe and effective pain relief method with very few side effects, delivers a local anesthetic into the area adjacent to the vertebrae to block the pain signals to the spinal nerves during surgery. 

Erector Spinae Nerve Blocks 

This is a simple, safe pain management technique with a low incidence of adverse reactions.

Local Anesthetics 

With this method, local anesthetics may be administered around the incisions intraoperatively or catheters may be placed near the surgical site that deliver local anesthetics for up to 5 days after surgery. 

Coordinated Use of Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Pumps  

This method is often combined in a coordinated fashion with the other pain management modalities. A PCA includes a computerized pump attached to an IV that allows the patient to receive pain medication by pressing a handheld button. Patients are transitioned from a PCA to oral pain medications as soon as possible and often on the first day or two after surgery.

DisclaimerThis information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.