Acute Pain Trajectories and Persistent Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery

Acute Pain Trajectories as a Predictive Factor for Persistent Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery

Persistent pain after breast cancer surgery (PPBCS) is a significant clinical problem, affecting between 25 and 50% of patients. Several factors are associated with the development of PPBCS, including acute postoperative pain. The analysis of pain trajectories through mixed model modeling is an alternative to static pain measures, improving precision and providing information on the time course of pain resolution. Our aim was to investigate if the characteristics of pain trajectories during the first postoperative week are correlated with the persistence of pain 3 months after breast cancer surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Scheduled for breast cancer surgery
• General anesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous breast surgery
• Reconstructive surgery scheduled during follow-up
• Day-surgery patients
• Inability to understand the questionnaires