From ACute To Chronic Postoperative Shoulder Pain in Patients for Elective Lobectomy

From Acute to Chronic Postoperative Shoulder Pain in Patients for Elective Lobectomy

Shoulder pain is a well known problem after thoracical surgery. The pathogenesis of the pain is uncertain, but mainly a mix of referred pain and mechanical strain to the shoulder. It is believed to last a few days. Persisting shoulder pain after thoracical surgery is a problem 1 year after surgery, but it is unknown if it is related to acute postoperative shoulder pain.

The purpose of the study is to systematically describe postoperative shoulder pain after lobectomy and examine the time progress up to 1 year after surgery.

Further study details are provided by Departement V, Odense University Hospital

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients for elective lobectomy
• 18 years or older at the day of the operation
• Satisfactory abilities to speak and read danish

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous Thoracical Surgery.
• Patients with diseases in the nervous system.
• Patients with preoperative shoulder pain, neuropathies or sensory disturbances in the arm or shoulder.
• Patients who are reoperated in the thorax in the study period or any other body-region within the first 4 postoperative days.