Intercostal nerve block with thoracoabdominal incision.

A double-blind study was done on 30 patients undergoing thoracoabdominal incisions for retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in testicular carcinoma to determine the effect of intraoperative intercostal nerve block with bupivacaine. The postoperative pain, day of ambulation and day of oral fluid intake were analyzed. In this homogeneous group we found a significant reduction in the amount of postoperative analgesia required but no difference in the day of ambulation or fluid intake.