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. 2013 May 21;47(2):145-53.
doi: 10.2478/raon-2013-0018. Print 2013 Jun.

Comparison of continuous local anaesthetic and systemic pain treatment after axillary lymphadenectomy in breast carcinoma patients - a prospective randomized study

Branka Strazisar  1 , Nikola Besic
Affiliations

Comparison of continuous local anaesthetic and systemic pain treatment after axillary lymphadenectomy in breast carcinoma patients - a prospective randomized study

Branka Strazisar et al. Radiol Oncol. .

Abstract

Background: Acute pain after axillary lymphadenectomy is often related mainly to axillary surgery. The aim of the prospective randomized study was to find out if continuous wound infusion of local anaesthetic reduces postoperative pain, consumption of opioids and the incidence of chronic pain compared to the standard intravenous piritramide analgesia after axillary lymphadenectomy in breast carcinoma patients.

Methods: Altogether 60 patients were enrolled in the prospective randomized study; half in wound infusion of local anaesthetic and half in the standard (piritramide) group.

Results: In the recovery room and on the first day after surgical procedure, the wound infusion of local anaesthetic group reported less acute and chronic pain, a lower consumption of piritramide and metoclopramide, but their alertness after the surgical procedure was higher compared to the standard group.

Conclusions: After axillary lymphadenectomy in breast carcinoma patients, wound infusion of local anaesthetic reduces acute pain and enables reduced opioid consumption, resulting in less postoperative sedation and a reduced need for antiemetic drugs. After wound infusion of local anaesthetic there is a statistical trend for reduction of chronic pain.

Keywords: breast carcinoma; elastomeric pump; pain treatment; wound infusion of local anaesthetic.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and at movement in the recovery room (A, B) on the day of the surgery (C, D) on the first postoperative day (E, F).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Consumption of piritramide during the first 24 hours after the surgical procedure in the local anaesthetic group and in the standard group.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Consumption of metoclopramide during the first 24 after the surgical procedure in the local anaesthetic group and in the standard group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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