Non-Narcotic Nerve Blocker Can Reduce Pain, Shorten Hospital Stays for Nuss Patients

In a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Surgical Association, researchers detailed how a more effective way of controlling pain has been developed, allowing children to not only experience better pain relief but also reduce opioid painkiller use and shorten hospital stays.

Different methods of pain control have been explored before but researchers have discovered that a non-narcotic nerve blocker known as a paravertebral blockade can be used to promote more efficient pain control in pectus excavatum patients.

"It's better than an epidural, because it's reliable, and kids can go home with it. For the first time, we consistently deliver on our promise to minimize pain," said Dr. Christopher Moir, a Mayo Clinic Children's Center thoracic and pediatric surgeon and the study's co-author.