Incidence of Neuralgia in Post-Thoracotomy Patients at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-1.13934Keywords:
Chronic Pain, Neuralgia, Pain Management, Thoracotomy, Treatment OutcomeAbstract
Objective: To determine the incidence, characteristics, and associated factors of Post-thoracotomy neuralgia (PTN).
Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study.
Place and Duration of study: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Sep 2024 to Sep 2025.
Methodology: A total of 336 consecutive adult patients undergoing thoracotomy were evaluated at 1-, 3-, and 6-month post-procedure. The primary outcome measured was Post-thoracotomy neuralgia (PTN). Parametric and multivariable logistic regression analyses was used to analyze the data.
Results: Among 336 patients (mean age 39.2±15.4 years; 248(73.8%) male), PTN was observed in 234(69.6%) patients. Pricking pain subtype was reported in 168 PTN patients (71.8%). Severity improved over time: no pain was reported by 100(42.9%) patients at 3 months and 159(67.9%) patients at 6 months; severe pain was absent at both 3 and 6 months. Post-operative altered sensation was reported by 155(66.1%); predominantly hypoesthesia 129(83.3%), mainly at the anterior lower chest 97(75.0%).
Conclusions: We found that PTN occurs in a significant proportion of patients following thoracotomy. Female gender and larger incisions were identified as independent factors associated with a higher risk of PTN.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ali Zaman Khan, Farhan Ahmed Majeed, Adeel Wyne, Muhib Ullah, Adnan Younis Panni, Fazila Khan
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