Pressure pain thresholds in volunteers and herniorrhaphy patients

Pressure algometry is a method to estimate pressure pain sensitivity in tissues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility of pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the abdominal integument and to evaluate the use of pressure algometry as a measure of wound tenderness following surgery. PPT was determined in 20 healthy volunteers on two separate examinations, and in 14 patients at the incisional site before and following inguinal herniotomy. In volunteers, PPT was higher for men than for women, and no difference was observed between the first and second day of examination. In surgical patients a significant decrease in PPT was observed following operation. Morphine 0.07 mg/kg caused a slight but significant increase in PPT. Pressure algometry may be useful to study nociceptive mechanisms and the dynamics of wound pain in surgical patients.