Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
07:14
A Quantitative Sensory Testing Paradigm to Obtain Measures of Pain Processing in Patients Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery
Published on: January 18, 2018
Neurophysiological characterization of persistent postthoracotomy pain
Kim Wildgaard1, Thomas Kamm Ringsted, Eske Kvanner Aasvang
1Section for Surgical Pathophysiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University, Denmark. wildgaard@thoracotomy.eu
The Clinical Journal of Pain
|June 28, 2011
Summary
Postthoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) is common after surgery. This study shows nerve injury is frequent, with more severe consequences in PTPS patients, impacting tactile and thermal sensation.
Area of Science:
- Pain Medicine
- Neurosurgery
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Postthoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) affects 30-40% of patients.
- Intraoperative nerve damage is suspected but not definitively linked to PTPS.
- Quantitative sensory data comparing PTPS and pain-free patients are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively characterize sensory changes in PTPS patients.
- To compare neurophysiological findings between PTPS and pain-free postthoracotomy patients.
- To investigate the link between nerve injury and PTPS.
Main Methods:
- Neurophysiological assessment using quantitative sensory testing (QST) and psychometric questionnaires.
- Study included 17 PTPS patients and 24 pain-free postthoracotomy patients.
- QST evaluated tactile, thermal, and pressure pain thresholds, temporal summation, and sensory mapping.
Main Results:
- Both PTPS and pain-free patients showed altered tactile and cool detection thresholds on the operated side.
- PTPS patients exhibited significantly higher thresholds for warmth detection and heat pain.
- PTPS patients had increased side-to-side differences in warmth, heat pain, and cool detection, and more cool hyperesthesia.
Conclusions:
- Neurophysiological assessments confirm common nerve injury after thoracotomy.
- Consequences of nerve injury, including altered sensory perception and hyperesthesia, are more pronounced in PTPS patients.
- Findings suggest a stronger link between nerve injury and the development of PTPS.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations:
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...