Pain and sensory dysfunction after breast cancer surgery: neurometer CPT evaluation

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the presence of anatomical and functional damage to the afferent and sensorial fibres using the Neurometer CPT test. A questionnaire regarding pain was sent to 300 women who had undergone surgery six months earlier. Out of 300 patients 67 did not respond; 105 experienced no pain; while 128 felt pain. One hundred and twenty-eight women were divided into two groups: mastectomy with reconstruction and simple mastectomy. The intensity of pain at T0 in women with reconstruction was significantly higher; at T4, on the other hand, was lesser and there was no significant difference between the two groups. In both groups at T4, the daily diary revealed that interference with sleep and normal daily activities were more evident in patients who had undergone reconstruction (p > 0.001). The final results at T4 demonstrated that among patients with reconstruction, 47% showed slight hypoesthesia-paraesthesia in the breast, armpit and arm zones, 39% slight hypoesthesia in the same locations and 18% severe hypoesthesia. Patients with reconstruction, instead, showed different percentages: 75% showed slight hypoesthesia-paraesthesia, 16% a slight hypoesthesia and 9% severe hypoesthesia. Our results support the utilization of the Neurometer CPT test as a device for monitoring post-mastectomy pain.