A bilateral clinical model for the study of acute and chronic pain after breast-reduction surgery.
BACKGROUND
There is a need for new clinical models to investigate effectively the development of pain after surgery and the effect, if any, of pre-emptive treatment. Bilateral models are of special interest, since the patient serves as his/her own control. The objective of this preliminary study was to test a clinical model for the study of acute and chronic pain after bilateral reduction mammoplasty.


METHODS
Eight patients participated in the study where the breasts were randomized to test and control groups. In each patient, one breast was preoperatively infiltrated with lidocaine and adrenaline and the other breast infiltrated with saline and adrenaline. Assessment included visual analogue scale (VAS) pain intensity, thermal thresholds, mapping for punctate hyperalgesia and tactile sensation. Assessments were made preoperatively, postoperatively and at 6 months after surgery.


RESULTS
With regard to acute postoperative pain intensity, the model demonstrated a clear difference between lidocaine and placebo treated breasts. There was no difference between lidocaine and placebo treated breasts with regard to chronic pain, but these results are inconclusive due to small number of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The model is sensitive and may be useful in studies of mechanisms of development and prevention of chronic pain after surgery.
Bell
R F
RF
Pain Clinic, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. rbel@haukeland.no
Sivertsen
A
A
Mowinkel
P
P
Vindenes
H
H
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000758:Anesthesia; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics