Audit of postoperative pain management after open thoracotomy and the incidence of chronic postthoracotomy pain in more than 500 patients at a tertiary center.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the quality of postoperative pain relief during the first 3 days after surgery and to evaluate with the incidence of persistent pain at 6 months after surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective single-center audit.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Five hundred four patients who underwent thoracotomy.

INTERVENTIONS

Review of patient records, questionnaire, and telephone review.

RESULTS

Of the 364 survivors, 306 were contacted. Five or more episodes of severe pain (numerical rating scale >6/10 at rest or movement) during the first 72 hours after surgery occurred in 133 patients. Persistent postsurgical pain at 6 months was present in 82% (109/133) of these patients. Patient satisfaction with acute postoperative pain management was excellent (36%), good (43%), and fair or poor (21%).The incidence of postthoracotomy pain was 56% (mild 32%, moderate 18%, and severe 6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Poorly controlled acute postoperative pain correlated with persistent postsurgical pain at 6 months. In view of such a high incidence in thoracotomy patients, preventative strategies assume great significance.