Radiofrequency Thoracic Sympathectomy for Chronic Postmastectomy Pain; Randomized Placebo Controlled Study

Summary

Postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a neuropathic pain that can follow surgical treatment for breast cancer, The antineuropathic medications (antidepressants and anticonvulsants) are disappointing and have low success rate. Continues Radiofrequency lesioning has been reported as treatment for several chronic pain conditions.The concept that the clinical effect of RF was caused by formation of heat had not been challenged. Thermocoagulation of nerve fibers would interfere with the conduction of nociceptive stimuli and pain would be relived. Thoracic sympathectomy has been done for many painful conditions that includes complex regional pain syndrome .It offers the benefit over stellate ganglion block as it blocks the Kuntz fibers that connect to the brachial plexus roots without passing through stellate ganglion.

Timeline

Start

2018-04-01

Primary completion

2020-01-01

Completion

2020-01-01

Publications

• Background Smith WC, Bourne D, Squair J, Phillips DO, Chambers WA. A retrospective cohort study of post mastectomy pain syndrome. Pain. 1999 Oct;83(1):91-5. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3959(99)00076-7.
• Background H. Hoseinzade, A. Mahmoodpoor, D. Agamohammadi, and S. Sanaie, "Comparing the effect of stellate ganglion block and gabapentin on the post mastectomy pain syndrome," Rawal Medical Journal, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 21-24, 2008.
• Background Andersen KG, Kehlet H. Persistent pain after breast cancer treatment: a critical review of risk factors and strategies for prevention. J Pain. 2011 Jul;12(7):725-46. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2010.12.005. Epub 2011 Mar 24.
• Background Jung BF, Ahrendt GM, Oaklander AL, Dworkin RH. Neuropathic pain following breast cancer surgery: proposed classification and research update. Pain. 2003 Jul;104(1-2):1-13. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3959(03)00241-0. No abstract available.
• Background Gartner R, Jensen MB, Nielsen J, Ewertz M, Kroman N, Kehlet H. Prevalence of and factors associated with persistent pain following breast cancer surgery. JAMA. 2009 Nov 11;302(18):1985-92. doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.1568.
• Background Steegers MA, Wolters B, Evers AW, Strobbe L, Wilder-Smith OH. Effect of axillary lymph node dissection on prevalence and intensity of chronic and phantom pain after breast cancer surgery. J Pain. 2008 Sep;9(9):813-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2008.04.001. Epub 2008 Jun 30.
• Background Carpenter JS, Andrykowski MA, Sloan P, Cunningham L, Cordova MJ, Studts JL, McGrath PC, Sloan D, Kenady DE. Postmastectomy/postlumpectomy pain in breast cancer survivors. J Clin Epidemiol. 1998 Dec;51(12):1285-92. doi: 10.1016/s0895-4356(98)00121-8.
• Background Cohen SP, Sireci A, Wu CL, Larkin TM, Williams KA, Hurley RW. Pulsed radiofrequency of the dorsal root ganglia is superior to pharmacotherapy or pulsed radiofrequency of the intercostal nerves in the treatment of chronic postsurgical thoracic pain. Pain Physician. 2006 Jul;9(3):227-35.
• Background Cahana A, Van Zundert J, Macrea L, van Kleef M, Sluijter M. Pulsed radiofrequency: current clinical and biological literature available. Pain Med. 2006 Sep-Oct;7(5):411-23. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2006.00148.x.
• Background Guo L, Kubat NJ, Nelson TR, Isenberg RA. Meta-analysis of clinical efficacy of pulsed radio frequency energy treatment. Ann Surg. 2012 Mar;255(3):457-67. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e3182447b5d.

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