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Chronic pain after thoracic surgery: a follow-up study
K Perttunen1, T Tasmuth, E Kalso
1Department of Anaesthesia, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|May 26, 1999
Summary
Chronic post-thoracotomy pain affects a significant majority of patients, persisting for up to a year after surgery. High early painkiller use correlates with increased long-term pain risk.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pain Medicine
- Clinical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Post-thoracotomy pain is a common complication, with reported incidences up to 67%.
- A link between acute postoperative pain severity and chronic pain development is suspected.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and impact of chronic post-thoracotomy pain.
- To explore potential risk factors for developing chronic pain after thoracotomy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 110 patients undergoing elective thoracotomy.
- Pre-operative and post-operative pain assessments (1 week, 3, 6, 12 months).
- Quantification of analgesic consumption during the first 5 postoperative days.
Main Results:
- Data available for 67 patients over the full study period.
- Chronic post-thoracotomy pain incidence: 80% at 3 months, 75% at 6 months, 61% at 1 year.
- Over half of patients experienced pain interfering with daily life; severe pain incidence was 3-5%.
- High postoperative analgesic use was associated with a greater risk of chronic pain.
Conclusions:
- A substantial number of patients develop chronic pain following thoracotomy.
- Healthcare providers must recognize this high incidence and seek effective prevention and treatment strategies.