Acute postoperative pain as a risk factor for chronic pain after surgery

Received 21 May 2009; accepted 21 July 2009.

Abstract

Chronic postoperative pain is a major clinical problem. Several risk factors, including younger age, female gender, psychological, and genetic factors, have been identified. Surgery itself is the most important risk factor. Preoperative pain and severe acute postoperative pain are also very consistent risk factors for the development of chronic postoperative pain. Theoretically, a reduction of postoperative pain should reduce the risk of developing chronic postoperative pain. The present article will summarize the epidemiology of chronic pain after various surgical procedures. The emphasis will be on the relation between acute postoperative pain and chronic postoperative pain. Preventive measures will be discussed.

Keywords: Acute postoperative pain, Chronic postoperative pain, Risk factors, Prevention

a Department of Anaesthesiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

b Danish Pain Research Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

c Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care I and Pain Therapy, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

Corresponding author. Address: Danish Pain Research Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Norrebrogade 44, Building 1A, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. Tel.: +45 89494317; fax: +45 89493269.

PII: S1754-3207(09)00019-4

doi:10.1016/j.eujps.2009.07.011

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