title: Persistent Pain and Sensory Abnormalities after Abdominoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persistent postsurgical pain is a well-recognized problem after a number of common surgical procedures, such as amputation, thoracotomy, and inguinal hernia repair. Less is known about persistent pain after cosmetic surgical procedures. We, therefore, decided to study the incidence and characteristics of persistent pain after abdominoplasty, which is one of the most frequent cosmetic surgical procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In September 2014, a link to a web-based questionnaire was mailed to 217 patients who had undergone abdominoplasty between 2006 and 2014 at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark. The questionnaire included questions about pain and sensory abnormalities located to the abdominal skin, and physical and psychological function; patient satisfaction with surgery was rated on a 4-point scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred seventy patients answered the questionnaire. Fourteen patients (8.2%) reported pain within the past 7 days related to the abdominoplasty. Abnormal abdominal skin sensation was common and reported by 138 patients (81%). Sensory hypersensitivity was associated with the presence of persistent pain. Satisfaction with the procedure was reported by 149 (88%) patients. The majority of patients reported improvement on all physical and psychological factors. Patients with pain were more often disappointed with the surgery and unwilling to recommend the surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, patients were satisfied with the procedure, although abnormal abdominal skin sensation was common. However, there is a risk of developing persistent neuropathic pain after abdominoplasty, and patients should be informed about this before surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Spinal Cord Injury Centre of Western Denmark, Department of Neurology, Regional Hospital of Viborg, Viborg, Denmark; Department of Anesthesiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Presman
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Spinal Cord Injury Centre of Western Denmark, Department of Neurology, Regional Hospital of Viborg, Viborg, Denmark; Department of Anesthesiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Finnerup
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Spinal Cord Injury Centre of Western Denmark, Department of Neurology, Regional Hospital of Viborg, Viborg, Denmark; Department of Anesthesiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Andresen
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Spinal Cord Injury Centre of Western Denmark, Department of Neurology, Regional Hospital of Viborg, Viborg, Denmark; Department of Anesthesiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lone
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nikolajsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Spinal Cord Injury Centre of Western Denmark, Department of Neurology, Regional Hospital of Viborg, Viborg, Denmark; Department of Anesthesiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nanna B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Finnerup