EXPORT CITATION

Chapter-067 Postmastectomy Pain

BOOK TITLE: Ramamurthy's Decision Making in Pain Management: An Algorithmic Approach

Author
1. S Patel
2. Faculty, Department of Anesthesiology UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
ISBN
9789386261458
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/14128_68
Edition
3/e
Publishing Year
2018
Pages
2
Author Affiliations
1. UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
Chapter keywords
Postmastectomy pain, postmastectomy pain syndrome, PMPS, medical management, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, TENS, intercostal block, SCS, spinal cord stimulator

Abstract

Postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a known complication of the surgical treatment of breast cancer. It is a neuropathic pain condition that arises from damage to the axillary, intercostal, or intercostobrachial nerves during surgery. It is characterized as a sharp, burning, aching pain accompanied by lancinating pain in the distribution supplied by the injured nerve. Medical management includes a trial of oral analgesics, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticonvulsants used for neuropathic pain. Capsaicin cream has few side effects and may provide improvement. Physical modalities such as transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), myofascial release, thoracic facet joint or rib mobilization (or both), and stretching exercises may benefit if indicated. C Surgical excision of palpable neuromas can result in complete pain relief. Also, a less known procedure to consider is an autologous fat graft.

Related Books

© 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved