Conscious pain mapping

Abstract

Study objective: To present the technique and usefulness of conscious pain mapping.

Design: Prospective, observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Gynecology departments of a university-affiliated hospital and a private community hospital.

Patients: Fifty consecutive women undergoing diagnostic microlaparoscopy.

Interventions: Conscious pain mapping was performed in all 50 women.

Measurements and main results: Conscious pain mapping helped to identify foci of chronic pelvic pain. The appendix and pelvic adhesions accounted for a significant amount of pelvic pain in these women.

Conclusions: Conscious pain mapping helps to uncover sites of pelvic pain that might not be identified during traditional laparoscopy under general anesthesia.