Lung Cancer – Post-Thoracotomy Pain Syndrome

Transcript

After thoracotomy lobectomy, there is expected pain at the site of the surgical incision and the surrounding area of the chest. In the first few days, this pain is caused by inflammation that happens in response to surgery. Between 70 and 90% of the postsurgical pain resolves within a few days as the inflammation and swelling goes down.

What helps the inflammation go down? For instance, local ice packs and anti-inflammatories. When the drains come out and the surgical incision is closed, topical analgesics are helpful in treating the residual pain. Topical creams, gels and patches are helpful additions to oral anti-inflammatories. One example is Anika. Anika can used by mouth in tablets or can be topically in gel anointment applied directly over the painful area.

If you have an allergy to an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, acetaminophen at a dose of at least a thousand milligram provides good pain relief effects. A caution is that you should not take more than four grams of Tylenol a day. And if you have preexisting liver damage, that dose should be even lower. Ask your doctor, what is the best pain management option for you.

Glossary

Analgesics – pain medication

Anika – type of pain medication

Anti–inflammatories – medications that lower inflammation

Inflammation – redness and swelling that happens when the body is defending itself against harmful microbes such as viruses and bacteria

Surgical incision – the place on the body where the surgeon makes the cut for a surgery

Thoracotomy lobectomy – surgery to remove one of the lobes of the lungs

Topical – medication such as a cream or gel that can be applied on the surface of the body