Objective To evaluate the effect of intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia for post-thoracotomy pain control and the chronic discomfort of the incision.Methods A prospective analysis was carried out in 200 patients after standard posterolateral thoracotomy.Then the patients were randomly divided into five groups after gender stratification,each group with 40 patients.Group A was the control group,which was received no advanced method to prevent the pain after operation,only with Pethidine injected while patient require.Group B was PCIA group.Group C was PCEA group.Group D was cryoanalgesia group.Group E was cryoanalgesia and PCEA group.VAS score was used in the consecutive 7 days after operation.And we recorded the doses of pethidine injected in the 7 days,as well as the complications and the side effects.On the third and sixth month,patients were followed up by telephone or clinic review for their pain control and discomfort of the incision.Results The VAS score and the average doses of using Pethidine were lower in group D and group E than that in other groups.Group D had a lower ratio of nausea,vomiting,pruritus and lethargy than any other group.Group A,group D and group E had a higher ratio of pain of incision and other adverse reactions than group B and group C.Conclusion Intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia could effectively relief the postoperative pain,reduce the ratio of traumatic stress reaction and side effect.Cryoanalgesia may be a factor that could add the chronic discomfort of the incision.