The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of local anesthetic (chlorhydrate of ropivacaine) to prevent chronic pain after breast surgery for cancer.

An estimated 20-65% of women treated with breast surgery for breast cancer experience chronic pain in the treated breast. Patients will be randomize between: infiltration with chlorhydrate of ropivacaine at the time of breast surgery for cancer versus placebo.Intra-operative analgesia will be standardized as well as peri-operative pain management.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Breast cancer patients treated by conservative surgery with axillary node dissection or treated by mastectomy with or without axillary node dissection or sentinel lymph node biopsy.
• ASA physical status 1, 2 or 3
• With a minimum life expectancy of 2 years
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any previous cancer other than breast cancer
• Allergies to local anesthesic and morphine
• Reported history of drug
• Pregnancy
• Homolateral breast surgery during the last 3 years
• Analgesic use pre-operatively
• Renal, pulmonary or liver major dysfunction
• Active malignant disease
• Unable to follow the protocol for any reason