Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence of chronic postoperative pain after the types of breast surgery. The secondary aim was to examine the factors associated with chronic postoperative pain.

METHODS

The prospective study included 240 female patients. Data were collected on: visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at 1st month and at 3rd-6th months postoperative; and age, BMI, preoperative pain, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, postoperative acute pain, length of hospital stay were the measures taken into account.

RESULTS

Chronic postoperative pain was experienced by 39,2% of patients at 3rd month and 18.3% of patients at 6th month. Chronic pain was detected in 41.8% of patients who had severe acute postoperative pain. BMI, age, preoperative and severe acute postoperative pain, the type of surgery, the length of hospital stay, development of complications, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment have been shown to be the risk factors in chronic postoperative pain after breast surgery. The incidence of postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) was 29.5% in mastectomy cases, and 64% in those having mastectomy and axillary dissection.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

As they are considered a complication of surgery according to some authors, chronic postoperative pain and post mastectomy pain syndrome are commonly discussed and studied clinical problems in recent years. More comprehensive studies about its etiology, risk factors and pathogenesis to prevent or treat the chronic postoperative pain and post mastectomy pain syndrome are warranted as it both reduces life comfort and causes workforce loss following surgery.