Development of bilateral herpes zoster following thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy

A 39-year-old female presented for elective bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy for chronic severe visceral pain. Surgery and anaesthesia were uneventful and she gained good symptomatic relief. Postoperative recovery was complicated by the development on day four of bilateral herpes zoster at the T8 dermatome level. This was treated immediately with oral acyclovir. She subsequently developed severe post-herpetic neuralgia requiring the recommencement of gabapentin and amitriptyline. Further benefit was gained from a course of calcitonin. This case report examines the possible causative factors in the development of post-surgical herpes zoster.