Symptoms and General Pathology

All Conditions

Neoplasms

Respiratory Tract (Lung and Bronchial) Diseases

Nervous System Diseases

Pain, Postoperative

Lung Neoplasms

Hernia

Pain

Postoperative Complications

Neurologic Manifestations

A #2 Vicryl suture is placed along the superior aspect of the rib above the specific thoracic interspace. This suture is then passed below the inferior rib along the superior aspect of the next rib below. These sutures are then tied to approximate the ribs leaving enough room for the tip of a finger.

A handheld drill is used to drill holes in the rib below the specific thoracic interspace. A #2 Vicryl suture is passed through each of the holes and then passed along the superior aspect of the rib above the specific thoracic interspace. These sutures are then tied to approximate the ribs leaving enough room for the tip of a finger.

Pericostal suture technique

Intracostal suture technique

Jules Lin, MD

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.

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

University of Michigan

Assistant Professor; Surgical Director, Lung Transplant

Study title	NCT ID	Conditions	Interventions	Eligibility	Organization
Thoracotomy Closure Technique and Postoperative Pain Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial	NCT02063438	Hernia Lung Cancer	Pericostal sutu... Intracostal sut...	18 Years - 99 Years	University of Michigan
Thoracotomy Closure Technique and Postoperative Pain Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial	NCT02063438	Hernia Lung Cancer	Pericostal sutu... Intracostal sut...	18 Years - 99 Years	University of Michigan
Thoracotomy Closure Technique and Postoperative Pain Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial	NCT02063438	Hernia Lung Cancer	Pericostal sutu... Intracostal sut...	18 Years - 99 Years	University of Michigan

Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for intracostal suture technique