Post Thoracotomy Neuralgia in Post Esophagectomy Patients

Wide exposure thoracotomy requires a muscle cutting incision, involving several muscle layers, rib resection or rib split, and continuous motion due to respiration. Management of acute post- thoracotomy pain is essentially very important to minimise post op pulmonary complications. Incidence of pain is high although reported less in literature. Exact pathophysiological mechanism is not known however many hypothesis have been proposed. Despite high incidence the treatment outcomes are not up to the expectations. Pharmacological agents have been used widely with inconsistent results.