A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Intercostal Nerve Block After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Abstract

Intercostal blockade with bupivacaine significantly improves both pain control and HRQL in the early postoperative period. The effectiveness of bupivacaine disappears within 6 hours of surgery, after which narcotic use becomes indistinguishable. Intercostal nerve blockade is an easy, safe, and inexpensive method that can be used to optimize pain control after PCNL.