The ICE Study is a single institution pilot study designed to compare standard therapy (i.e., thoracic epidural) versus a novel approach (i.e., Cryoanalgesia combined with thoracic epidural) to address the need for better management of acute and long-term pain in the general thoracic surgery patient population. The study's primary objective will be to demonstrate if the new intraoperative pain management approach [i.e., intercostal Cryoanalgesia in conjunction with thoracic epidural] provides superior short-term and long-term analgesia efficacy in patients undergoing unilateral thoracotomy as compared to the current institutional standard of care (i.e., thoracic epidural). Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 design.
The ICE Study study will compare standard therapy (thoracic epidural) versus a novel approach (Cryoanalgesia combined with thoracic epidural) in subjects undergoing unilateral thoracotomy.