Neuropathic uterine pain after hysterectomy. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Neuropathic pain arises when there is damage to or dysfunction of the nervous system. Diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia and phantom limb pain are common types of neuropathic pain. It is not commonly recognized in gynecologic practice.


METHODS
A patient underwent a hysterectomy for a tuboovarian abscess and underlying endometriosis. Despite maximal dosing with conventional pain medications, she continued to have significant pain that had not been present following prior surgeries. Use of low-dose amitriptyline successfully treated the pain, with no sequelae.


CONCLUSIONS
Persistent pain following gynecologic surgery that does not respond to conventional therapy may have a neuropathic origin. Attention to appropriate history and physical examination may lead to an increase in the diagnosis of neuropathic pain in gynecology patients. This may have implications for persistent pain in other gynecologic diseases.
Chavez
Norma F
NF
Center for Uterine Fibroids, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Zweizig
Susan L
SL
Stewart
Elizabeth A
EA
D000038:Abscess / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000601:surgery; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000639:Amitriptyline