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BMC Anesthesiology
Published in: BMC Anesthesiology 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

The pre-amputation pain and the postoperative deafferentation are the risk factors of phantom limb pain: a clinical survey in a sample of Chinese population

Authors: Yan Yin, Lan Zhang, Hong Xiao, Chuan-Bing Wen, Yue-E Dai, Guang Yang, Yun-Xia Zuo, Jin Liu

Published in: BMC Anesthesiology | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

To provide an overview of phantom limb pain (PLP) in China. This includes the prevalence of PLP and possible risk factors.

Methods

In a retrospective study, telephone interviews were conducted with 391 amputation patients who underwent extremity amputations at a tertiary hospital in China.

Results

PLP was found in 29% of the amputees. Pre-amputation pain (OR = 10.4, P = 0.002) and postoperative analgesia (OR = 4.9, P = 0.008) were identified as high-risk factors for PLP. 82.1% of PLP patients experienced pre-amputation pain. The average pain intensity of PLP was 5.1 ± 2.2, with 31.9% having severe intensity. The effects of PLP on the quality of the PLP patients were as follows: 7.8% of the patients had to limit their daily life and 29.0% of the patients had to limit their social activities. 17.3 and 25.7% of patients experienced depression and sleeping disorder respectively, while 18.9% had loss of interest and even 16.1% of PLP patients had attempted suicide. No effective treatments were found in 78.9% of these patients.

Conclusions

PLP has markedly affected the lives of patients. Pre-amputation pain and postoperative epidural analgesia might be risk factors for the phantom limb pain after amputation. Prevention of pre-amputation pain and sudden post-amputation deafferentation should be recommended to the amputees.
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Metadata
Title
The pre-amputation pain and the postoperative deafferentation are the risk factors of phantom limb pain: a clinical survey in a sample of Chinese population
Authors
Yan Yin
Lan Zhang
Hong Xiao
Chuan-Bing Wen
Yue-E Dai
Guang Yang
Yun-Xia Zuo
Jin Liu
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Anesthesiology / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2253
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-017-0359-6

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