Chronicisation des douleurs après chirurgie

Chronic pain after surgery is reported to impair the follow up of many surgical procedures. Nearly 5 % of patients complain of severe chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair, cesarean section or breast surgery. Chronic pain after surgery is related to the development of postoperative allodynia and hyperalgesia and also to the intensity of postoperative pain. The use of antihyperalgesic drugs such as gabapentinoids and ketamine, and local anesthetics have been used to prevent the occurrence of chronic pain after surgery. Data are encouraging but too scanty to allow definite conclusion.