The Clinical journal of pain
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Chronic pain is a well-known complication after surgery, but the prevalence of persistent pain after melanoma surgery is unknown. This study examined the prevalence and predictors of persistent pain after melanoma surgery. ⋯ The results support previous findings that persistent postoperative pain is a complication of almost any surgical intervention. Persistent pain was related to abnormal sensation, and neuropathic pain should be considered in these patients.
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Is pain catastrophizing a stable trait or dynamic state in patients scheduled for knee arthroplasty?
This study sought to clarify whether pain-related catastrophizing is a response that varies given a specific situational circumstance (state) or an enduring personality construct (trait). ⋯ These data provide preliminary support for the notion that pain-related catastrophizing is a dynamic construct that is related to pain intensity.
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To report a case of hiccups secondary to intrathecal (IT) morphine infusion. ⋯ We report a case of a 44-year-old man who developed persistent hiccups with IT morphine infusion pump therapy. The hiccups persisted despite various nonpharmacological and pharmacological measures. The untoward symptom resolved after substitution of IT hydromorphone for IT morphine.
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The postthoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) has a prevalence of 30% to 40%. Although intraoperative nerve damage during thoracotomy has been demonstrated, it has not been clearly linked to PTPS and detailed quantitative sensory characterization data have so far not been presented, comparing PTPS and pain-free patients. ⋯ Neurophysiological assessments indicate nerve injury to be common in pain and pain-free patients after thoracotomy. The combination of increased thresholds together with hyperesthesia, suggests consequences of nerve injury to be more pronounced in PTPS patients.
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To compare the effects of tapentadol-extended release versus oxycodone-controlled release for pain relief on productivity by combining evidence from different sources. ⋯ Tapentadol was associated with increases in all productivity dimensions compared with oxycodone. Multiparameter evidence synthesis capitalizes on available evidence, so that better informed medical decisions can be made.