Four Cases of Post-operative Pain Following Thoracotomy

Abstract

Four cases of post-operative pain following thoracotomy are reported. All cases were thought to have deafferentation pain because they complained of sensory loss and dysesthesia along the operation scar. Not all pain derived from cancer. For therapy, continuous epidural infusion of local anesthetic together with tricyclic anti-depressant were used. Anti-convulsant therapy was also used in one case. From 30 to 60 days after, pain was reduced. The patients left the hospital and were followed up as out-patients. The cause of pain was nerve injury by nerve block with 99.5 % ethanol in one case, and cutting off of the intercostal nerve in the other cases.
More discussion with surgical staff is essential to prevent post-operative pain following thoracotomy.