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A bilateral clinical model for the study of acute and chronic pain after breast‐reduction surgery
Author(s) -
Bell R. F.,
Sivertsen Å.,
Mowinkel P.,
Vindenes H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-6576.2001.045005576.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lidocaine , visual analogue scale , placebo , anesthesia , surgery , breast reduction , breast surgery , randomized controlled trial , chronic pain , mammaplasty , physical therapy , breast cancer , alternative medicine , pathology , cancer
Background: There is a need for new clinical models to investigate effectively the development of pain after surgery and the effect, if any, of pre‐emptive treatment. Bilateral models are of special interest, since the patient serves as his/her own control. The objective of this preliminary study was to test a clinical model for the study of acute and chronic pain after bilateral reduction mammoplasty. Methods: Eight patients participated in the study where the breasts were randomized to test and control groups. In each patient, one breast was preoperatively infiltrated with lidocaine and adrenaline and the other breast infiltrated with saline and adrenaline. Assessment included visual analogue scale (VAS) pain intensity, thermal thresholds, mapping for punctate hyperalgesia and tactile sensation. Assessments were made preoperatively, postoperatively and at 6 months after surgery. Results: With regard to acute postoperative pain intensity, the model demonstrated a clear difference between lidocaine and placebo treated breasts. There was no difference between lidocaine and placebo treated breasts with regard to chronic pain, but these results are inconclusive due to small number of patients. Conclusion: The model is sensitive and may be useful in studies of mechanisms of development and prevention of chronic pain after surgery.