Phantom limb pain during peridural anaesthesia

Report the occurrence of severe phantom leg pain during peridural anaesthesia. The patient had no preoperative pain complaints or neurological deficits and was scheduled for surgical removal of an osteosynthesis plate from his otherwise intact femur. The pain developed parallel with the appearance of phantom sensation during peridural anaesthesia. It was independent of surgical stimulation and vanished towards the end of the operation. Phantom limb pain disappeared completely with dissipation of regional blockade. Some of the possible mechanisms of painless and painful phantoms are discussed. We suggest that investigation of similar cases may help in elucidating phantom limb pain following irreversible pathological deafferentation.