Abstract:
Background: Post thoracotomy pain remains an important challenge for surgeons and patients. It affects respiratiory function, quality of life and limits patients from performing normal daily activities. We aimed to assess the efficacy of using rib drill and transcostal sutures to close intercostal space to minimize post thoracotomy pain and respiratory complications.
Patients and methods: A prospective follow up study, included 86 middle age patients operated through posterolateral thoracotomy for lung resection. Thoracotomy was reclosed using rib drill with passing transcostal heavy vicryl sutures. Follow up was done for one month duration to assess postoperative pain score and respiratory functions.
Results: The intensity of post thoracotomy pain significantly decreased over time with its lowest level after 1 month where the mean pain score 0.63± 0.65. Comparing preoperative and postoperative spirometry variables, there was a nonsignificant decrease in all spirometry results at 30 days postoperative.
Conclusion: Patients in our study showed low postoperative pain score and nonsignificant reductions in the postoperative spirometry variables compared to preoperative results after using drill and trancostal heavy vicryl sutures for thoracotomy wound closure in middle age patients.