Does the perioperative analgesic/anesthetic regimen influence the prevalence of long-term chronic pain after mastectomy?

Study objective: To investigate if the anesthetic/analgesic regimen is associated with the risk of reporting long-term chronic postmastectomy pain (CPMP).

Design: Cross-sectional survey

Setting: Academic hospital

Patients: A total of 267 women having undergone mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection between 2003 and 2008 INTERVENTIONS: All patients were contacted between October and December 2012, with a questionnaire asking for persistent pain after surgery and its characteristics.

Measurements: Besides demographical data, tumor characteristics, and adjuvant treatment, we recorded type and doses of intraoperative anesthetics/analgesics (sufentanil, ketamine, clonidine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, MgSO4, propofol, or halogenated agents).

Results: Of the 128 patients returning analyzable questionnaires, 43.8% reported chronic pain (48.2% with neuropathic characteristics). Multivariate logistic/linear regression model showed 4 factors independently associated with persistent pain: recall of preoperative pain (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.48), chemotherapy (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.13-1.55), need for strong opioids in postanesthesia care unit (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.11-1.53), and halogenated agent anesthesia (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.70-0.95).

Conclusion: In conclusion, our study confirms the high prevalence of CPMP, 4 to 9 years after surgery. Recall of preoperative pain, chemotherapy, and need for strong opioids in the postanesthesia care unit were all associated with the presence of chronic pain. Of the intraoperative analgesics/anesthetics studied, only use of halogenated agents was associated with a lower prevalence of CPMP.