Risk factors of neuropathic pain after thoracic surgery

Neuropathic pain after thoracic surgery, known as post-thoracotomy pain, is common and sometimes severe. The pain often becomes chronic and is associated with symptoms including burning, shooting, shocking, pressure-like, and aching sensations (1). Chronic pain can cause insomnia and loss of appetite and may incapacitate patients, making daily activities difficult or impossible (2). Although there are several mechanisms for the development of chronic pain after thoracotomy, intercostal nerve damage and subsequent dysfunction has long been implicated. Many methods of pain management have been tested, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is believed to result in less severe postoperative pain