Chronic pain in children after cardiac surgery via sternotomy
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Chronic pain in children after cardiac surgery via sternotomy. / Lauridsen, Mette H; Kristensen, Anders D; Hjortdal, Vibeke E; Jensen, Troels S; Nikolajsen, Lone.
In: Cardiology in the Young, Vol. 24, No. 5, 10.2014, p. 893-9.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Chronic pain in children after cardiac surgery via sternotomy
AU - Lauridsen, Mette H
AU - Kristensen, Anders D
AU - Hjortdal, Vibeke E
AU - Jensen, Troels S
AU - Nikolajsen, Lone
PY - 2014/10
Y1 - 2014/10
N2 - INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain is common after sternotomy in adults with reported prevalence rates of 20-50%. So far, no studies have examined whether children develop chronic pain after sternotomy.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Postal questionnaires were sent to 171 children 10-60 months after undergoing cardiac surgery via sternotomy at the age of 0-12 years. The children were asked to recall the intensity and duration of their post-operative pain, if necessary with the help from their parents, and to describe the intensity and character of any present pain. Another group of 13 children underwent quantitative sensory testing of the scar area 3 months after sternotomy.RESULTS: A total of 121 children, median (range) age 7.7 (4.2-16.9) years, answered the questionnaire. Their age at the time of surgery was median (range) 3.8 (0-12.9) years, and the follow-up period was median (range) 4 (0.8-5.1) years. In all, 26 children (21%) reported present pain and/or pain within the last week located in the scar area; in 12 (46%) out of the 26 children, the intensity was ≥4 on a numeric rating scale (0-10). Quantitative sensory testing of the scar area revealed sensory abnormalities--pinprick hyperalgesia and brush and cold allodynia--in 10 out of 13 children.CONCLUSION: Chronic pain after cardiac surgery via sternotomy in children is a problem that should not be neglected. The pain is likely to have a neuropathic component as suggested by the sensory abnormalities demonstrated by quantitative sensory testing.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain is common after sternotomy in adults with reported prevalence rates of 20-50%. So far, no studies have examined whether children develop chronic pain after sternotomy.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Postal questionnaires were sent to 171 children 10-60 months after undergoing cardiac surgery via sternotomy at the age of 0-12 years. The children were asked to recall the intensity and duration of their post-operative pain, if necessary with the help from their parents, and to describe the intensity and character of any present pain. Another group of 13 children underwent quantitative sensory testing of the scar area 3 months after sternotomy.RESULTS: A total of 121 children, median (range) age 7.7 (4.2-16.9) years, answered the questionnaire. Their age at the time of surgery was median (range) 3.8 (0-12.9) years, and the follow-up period was median (range) 4 (0.8-5.1) years. In all, 26 children (21%) reported present pain and/or pain within the last week located in the scar area; in 12 (46%) out of the 26 children, the intensity was ≥4 on a numeric rating scale (0-10). Quantitative sensory testing of the scar area revealed sensory abnormalities--pinprick hyperalgesia and brush and cold allodynia--in 10 out of 13 children.CONCLUSION: Chronic pain after cardiac surgery via sternotomy in children is a problem that should not be neglected. The pain is likely to have a neuropathic component as suggested by the sensory abnormalities demonstrated by quantitative sensory testing.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Cardiac Surgical Procedures/methods
KW - Child
KW - Child, Preschool
KW - Chronic Pain/diagnosis
KW - Denmark/epidemiology
KW - Female
KW - Follow-Up Studies
KW - Heart Defects, Congenital/surgery
KW - Humans
KW - Infant
KW - Infant, Newborn
KW - Male
KW - Pain Measurement
KW - Pain, Postoperative/diagnosis
KW - Prevalence
KW - Severity of Illness Index
KW - Sternotomy/methods
KW - Time Factors
U2 - 10.1017/S104795111300139X
DO - 10.1017/S104795111300139X
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 24044632
VL - 24
SP - 893
EP - 899
JO - Cardiology in the Young
JF - Cardiology in the Young
SN - 1047-9511
IS - 5
ER -
ID: 242612672