An interventional pain algorithm for the treatment of postmastectomy pain syndrome: A single-center retrospective review Journal Article


Authors: Yang, A.; Nadav, D.; Legler, A.; Chen, G. H.; Hingula, L.; Puttanniah, V.; Gulati, A.
Article Title: An interventional pain algorithm for the treatment of postmastectomy pain syndrome: A single-center retrospective review
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy worldwide. Breast surgery and adjuvant oncological therapies are often required to increase survival. Treatment-related pain may persist and evolve into postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) in a significant subset of breast cancer survivors. In this retrospective investigation, we will present our experience in applying an interventional algorithmic approach to treat PMPS. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: An academic cancer hospital. SUBJECTS: Adult females with PMPS diagnosis. METHODS: We reviewed 169 records with the diagnosis of PMPS from 2015 to 2019 within our health system. Pre- and post-injection pain scores, relief duration, and medication usage changes were collected. The decision to perform each procedure was based on the anatomic location of the painful area with the corresponding peripheral sensory innervation. Decision-making flow diagrams were created to present our experience in managing PMPS beyond peripheral nerve blocks. RESULTS: Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block results (n=350) were analyzed. The mean baseline pain score was 7, compared with the post-treatment mean score of 3 (95% confidence interval: 3.58 to 3.98, P = 0.0001). Among the responders, the mean pain relief duration was 45 days, with a median of 84 days. Opioid medication consumption was reduced by 11% (t = 0.72, P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks of this area could be performed safely and effectively after breast surgeries. We also present our proposed algorithm to provide a stepwise application for selecting the appropriate therapies in the management of more complex PMPS. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Keywords: cancer pain; ultrasound; postoperative pain; nerve block; spinal cord stimulation
Journal Title: Pain Medicine
Volume: 22
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1526-2375
Publisher: Oxford University Press  
Date Published: 2021-03-01
Start Page: 677
End Page: 686
Language: English
DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa343
PUBMED: 33155049
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC7971473
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 3 May 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Amitabh Gulati
    146 Gulati
  2. Grant H Chen
    17 Chen
  3. Aron S Legler
    7 Legler
  4. Ajax Yang
    2 Yang
  5. Danielle Nadav
    2 Nadav