Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
A Quantitative Sensory Testing Paradigm to Obtain Measures of Pain Processing in Patients Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery
Published on: January 18, 2018
Chronic postsurgical pain and persistent opioid use following surgery: the need for a transitional pain service
Alexander Huang1,2, Abid Azam1,2,3, Shira Segal1
1Department of Anaesthesia, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Aim:
To identify the 3-month incidence of chronic postsurgical pain and long-term opioid use in patients at the Toronto General Hospital.
Methods:
200 consecutive patients presenting for elective major surgery completed standardized questionnaires by telephone at 3 months after surgery.
Results:
51 patients reported a preoperative chronic pain condition, with 12 taking opioids preoperatively. 3 months after surgery 35% of patients reported having surgical site pain and 13.5% continued to use opioids for postsurgical pain relief. Postoperative opioid use was associated with interference with walking and work, and lower mood.
Conclusion:
Chronic postsurgical pain and ongoing opioid use are concerns that warrant the implementation of a Transitional Pain Service to modify the pain trajectories and enable effective opioid weaning following major surgery.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:20Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...