Objective: To assess the efficacy of intercostal nerve protection by intercostal muscle (ICM)
flap in post-thoracotomy pain improvement compared to intracostal suturing. Methods: In a
randomized controlled trial, ninety-four patients undergoing posterolateral thoracotomy
surgery were divided into two subgroups. Intracostal sutures in isolation and in combination
with ICM flap techniques were used for thoracotomy closure in both groups. Numeric Pain
Scale and Visual Pain Scale as pain scores were assessed on the first, second, third, fourth …

… Combination of intracostal sutures with muscle flap to decrease post thoracotomy pain:
as … Combination of intracostal sutures with muscle flap to decrease post thoracotomy pain:
a singleblinded randomized clinical trial … To assess the efficacy of intercostal nerve
protection by intercostal muscle [ICM] flap in post-thoracotomy pain improvement compared
to intracostal suturing …