However , intercostal nerve injury seems to be the most important pathogenic factor .
Chronic pain complaints after thoracic surgery represent a significant clinical problem in 25 - 60 % of patients .
Results from thoracic and other surgical procedures suggest multiple pathogenic mechanisms that include pre- , intra- , and postoperative factors .
This review attempts to analyse the methodology and systematic s of the studies on the  post-thoracotomy pain syndrome ( PTPS ) after lung cancer surgery in adults , in order to clarify the relative role of possible pathogenic factors and to define future strategies for prevention .
Risk Factors for Chronic Pain after Hysterectomy: A Nationwide Questionnaire and Database Study
Background : Women scheduled to undergo hysterectomy for benign indications frequently have preoperative pelvic pain , but it is largely unknown why pain in some cases persists or even develops after surgery . This nationwide question naire and data base study describes pain and identifies risk factors for chronic  postsurgical pain  1 yr after hysterectomy for benign indications . Methods : A pain question naire was mailed to 1,299 women 1 yr after hysterectomy .  The response rate was 90.3 % , and the presence of persistent pain was correlated to indication for surgery , surgical procedure , type of anesthesia , and other perioperative data . Results : Pain was reported by 31.9 % 1 yr after hysterectomy ( chronic pain ) , and 13.7 % had pain more than 2 days a week . Pain was not present before surgery in 14.9 % of women with chronic postsurgical pain . Risk factors for chronic pain were preoperative pelvic pain ( odds ratio [ OR ] , 3.25 ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 2.40–4.41 ) , previous cesarean delivery ( OR , 1.54 ; CI , 1.06–2.26 ) , pain as the main indication for surgery ( OR , 2.98 ; CI , 1.54–5.77 ) , and pain problems elsewhere ( OR , 3.19 ; CI , 2.29–4.44 ) . Vaginal hysterectomy versus total abdominal hysterectomy was not significantly associated with a lower risk of chronic pain ( OR , 0.70 ; CI , 0.46–1.06 ) . Importantly , spinal versus general anesthesia was associated with less chronic pain ( OR , 0.42 ; CI , 0.21–0.85 ) . Conclusions : Thirty-two percent had chronic pain after hysterectomy , and risk factors were comparable to those seen in other operations . Interestingly , spinal anesthesia was associated with a lower frequency of chronic pain , justifying prospect i ve study of spinal anesthesia for patients with a high risk for development of chronic postsurgical pain
However , intercostal nerve injury seems to be the most important pathogenic factor .
Chronic pain complaints after thoracic surgery represent a significant clinical problem in 25 - 60 % of patients .
Results from thoracic and other surgical procedures suggest multiple pathogenic mechanisms that include pre- , intra- , and postoperative factors .
This review attempts to analyse the methodology and systematic s of the studies on the  post-thoracotomy pain syndrome ( PTPS ) after lung cancer surgery in adults , in order to clarify the relative role of possible pathogenic factors and to define future strategies for prevention .