Radiofrequency Thoracic Sympathectomy for Chronic Postmastectomy Pain; Randomized Placebo Controlled Study

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2020-01-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Female

Summary

Postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a neuropathic pain that can follow surgical treatment for breast cancer, The antineuropathic medications (antidepressants and anticonvulsants) are disappointing and have low success rate. Continues Radiofrequency lesioning has been reported as treatment for several chronic pain conditions.The concept that the clinical effect of RF was caused by formation of heat had not been challenged. Thermocoagulation of nerve fibers would interfere with the conduction of nociceptive stimuli and pain would be relived. Thoracic sympathectomy has been done for many painful conditions that includes complex regional pain syndrome .It offers the benefit over stellate ganglion block as it blocks the Kuntz fibers that connect to the brachial plexus roots without passing through stellate ganglion.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Assiut University
• Treatments: Antidepressive Agents; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; Pregabalin; Tramadol

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with chronic post-mastectomy pain for at least 6 month post-operative

• Patients with VAS ≥ 5

• Patients on pregabalin dose ≥ 150 mg daily

• Patients treated with more than one line of anti-neuropathic drugs [e.g. pregabalin+(tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ) or pregabalin+ tramadole]

• Lymphedema of the upper limb

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient refusal

• Coagulopathy

• Chest and back deformity hindering procedure impossible

• Infection at the introduction site of the needle