Implantation of an intercostal nerve stimulator for chronic abdominal pain

Chronic abdominal pain is not uncommon and can be difficult to manage. We present the case of a 17-year-old man with a 4-year history of chronic abdominal pain. The patient had previously undergone abdominal surgery by way of laparoscopic appendicectomy and right nephrectomy for a mal-rotated kidney. The patient continued to suffer right-sided abdominal pain which was not controlled by analgesia. We report the successful implantation of a right D11 intercostal nerve stimulator to control the patient’s pain. This is the first report of an implantable intercostal nerve stimulator to control intractable chronic abdominal pain.