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.