The Impact of Immunological Parameters on the Development of Phantom Pain after Major Amputation.
Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2005;
30:79-82. [PMID:
15933988 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejvs.2005.02.050]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the relationship between local and systemic inflammatory markers and phantom limb pain.
METHODS
In 39 consecutive patients undergoing major amputations nerve biopsies, serum and clinical data was collected. Patients were followed up for 12 months to report on the incidence and severity of phantom limb pain.
RESULTS
After 12 months, 78% of the surviving patients had phantom pain, the symptom usually commencing within 14 days of operation. The severity of macrophage infiltration within the nerve biopsy was negatively correlated to the inception of phantom pain ( P = 0.026). While serum TNF-alpha concentration was positively correlated to mortality ( P = 0.021).
CONCLUSIONS
The immune status existing before the amputation and the local immunological milieu influence the onset of phantom pain.
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