Chronic postoperative pain is a well-known problem. Chronic postoperative pain is defined as pain that begins following a surgical procedure and persists for more than 2 months without other obvious causes such as infection or underlying disease. Sternotomy causes significant postoperative pain, and patients with chronic pain after sternotomy are often referred to pain clinics. The incidence of chronic pain after sternotomy ranges from 17% to 56%; In approximately one-third of these patients, chronic pain after sternotomy can compromise their quality of life by affecting their sleep patterns and impairing their ability to work. However, epidemiological studies on chronic pain after sternotomy are scarce. The aim of this study is to examine the incidence and possible risk factors of chronic pain following sternotomy operations. In this study, it was aimed to analyze the chronic pain findings of the patients who underwent sternotomy in the postoperative 3rd month.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 80 years
• American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status I-II-III-IV
• Body mass index (BMI) between 18-35 kg/m2
• Patients undergoing elective sternotomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of chronic analgesic therapy
• Patients with previous sternotomy surgery
• Patients who were operated under emergency conditions

Patients between the ages of 18-80 years, in the ASA I-II-III-IV risk group, with a BMI between 18-35 kg/m2 and undergoing sternotomy will be included in the study.

Patients under the age of 18 years and over the age of 80 years, with an ASA score of V and above, with a BMI below 18 kg/m2 and above 35 kg/m2, who were operated under emergency conditions, and who received chronic pain treatment will be excluded from the study.