Surgical aspects of chronic post-thoracotomy pain

Chronic post-thoracotomy pain is a continuous dysaesthetic burning and aching in the general area of the incision that persists at least 2 months after thoracotomy. It occurs in approximately 50% of patients after thoracotomy and is usually mild or moderate. However, in 5% the pain is severe and dis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery 2000-12, Vol.18 (6), p.711-716
Main Authors: Rogers, Mark L., Duffy, John P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Chronic Disease
Chronic postthoracotomy pain
Humans
Intercostal nerve
Medical sciences
Neuralgia
Pain
Pain, Postoperative - epidemiology
Pain, Postoperative - etiology
Pain, Postoperative - surgery
Surgery
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Surgery of the respiratory system
Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
Thoracotomy
Thoracotomy - adverse effects
Thoracotomy - methods
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Summary:Chronic post-thoracotomy pain is a continuous dysaesthetic burning and aching in the general area of the incision that persists at least 2 months after thoracotomy. It occurs in approximately 50% of patients after thoracotomy and is usually mild or moderate. However, in 5% the pain is severe and disabling. No one technique of thoracotomy has been shown to reduce the incidence of chronic postthoracotomy pain. The most likely cause is intercostal nerve damage, although the precise mechanism for this is not known. Future work needs to examine surgical technique in detail. Until then, patients need to be adequately warned of this sequela of thoracotomy.
ISSN:1010-7940
1873-734X
DOI:10.1016/S1010-7940(00)00569-8