Neuropathic Pain Following Surgery

Persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP) is a common consequence of numerous surgical procedures, especially those involving potential nerve injuries. With more than 200 million surgical procedures performed each year globally, PPSP is a significant cause of disability worldwide. The exact mechanism of PPSP is not clear, but it is assumed that changes both at the peripheral tissue injury site and central neuroplasticity following the peripheral injury contribute to the condition. As PPSP is iatrogenic and may be entirely preventable, substantial research in the last two decades has focused on identifying pre-, intra-, and postoperative PPSP risk factors and on developing pharmacological and interventional approaches to reduce the incidence of this condition. This chapter summarizes the current evidence on epidemiology, risk factors and mechanisms of neuropathic pain following surgery, and discusses the approaches for its prevention and treatment.