Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry

Abstract

Surgical Strategy and Treatment for the Prevalence of the Post- Thoracotomy Pain Syndrome

Kyoji Hirai, Shingo Takeuchi and Jitsuo Usuda

The various types of pain evoked after thoracic surgery are wound pain, pulmonary apex pain due to the drain, pain caused by intercostal nerve damage, visceral pain due to manipulation of the pleura/bronchi during surgery. As the dominant nerve differs among painful areas, the innervation regions requiring analgesia are extensive, causing difficulty in pain control. These pains are treated by the thoracic epidural anesthesia, the administration of anti-inflammatory analgesics such as non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentin (anti-epileptic drug) as a central nerve system drug, or tranquilizers.