Women's Recovery from Sternotomy-Extension (WREST-E) study: examining long-term pain and discomfort following sternotomy and their predictors

Abstract

Patients reported incision and breast pain and discomfort as long as 12 months post-sternotomy. Improved management of postoperative pain and discomfort up to at least 12 weeks following surgery may render reduced long-term pain and discomfort symptoms.

Risk factors for chronic thoracic pain after cardiac surgery via sternotomy

“…Two further studies found an association between higher pain scores on day 4 [3] or on day 5 [15] after surgery with persistent chest pain. We therefore prospectively recorded pain scores from patients in the ICU as soon as possible after surgery.…”

Prevalence of and risk factors for persistent postoperative nonanginal pain after cardiac surgery: a 2-year prospective multicentre study

“…Results at earlier follow-up points are consistent with those reported in several prospective studies of shorter duration among cardiac surgery patients. 9,13,14,20,21,25 These prevalence rates are not negligible given that more than 400 000 patients undergo CABG annually in the United States 4 and that persistent postoperative pain affects patients' health-related quality of life. [7][8][9]19 The risk of persistent postoperative pain should be discussed with patients during preoperative counselling and perhaps included in informed consent for surgery.…”

“…13,14,21,22,25 All of the above studies were carried out in a single hospital and included relatively small samples. None of the studies examined the contribution of psychological factors such as levels of anxiety and depression before cardiac surgery, although these factors have been shown to influence acute or persistent postoperative pain in other types of surgery.…”

“…However, persistent postoperative pain of nonanginal origin has been reported in 7% to 60% of patients following these surgeries. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Such variability is common in other types of major surgery and is due mainly to differences in the definition of persistent postoperative pain, study design, data collection methods and duration of follow-up. [1][2][3]24 Few prospective cohort studies have examined the exact time course of persistent postoperative pain after cardiac surgery, and follow-up has always been limited to a year or less.…”

Against All Odds: Preventing Pressure Ulcers in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery Patients

“…Published reports [19][20][21] are focused on the use of these garments for stabilization of the sternum, improved approximation of sternal wounds, and comfort. The Women's Recovery from Sternotomy-Extension Study determined that female patients experience postoperative pain for up to a year after their cardiac surgery, and a larger chest circumference is a risk factor.…”