The effect of intra-operative passive movement therapy on non-surgical site pain after breast reconstructive surgery: a preliminary study

H. Bidd, R. Dulai, Natalie Edelman, J. Giles, C. Patel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Pain distant to an operative site is under-reported but sometimes more severe than pain from the surgical site. Intra-operative passive movement could possibly reduce this pain. This preliminary study was designed to assess the practicalities of conducting a randomised controlled trial of this therapy in anaesthetised patients. The study design was pragmatic. Forty-two patients undergoing breast reconstruction were randomly assigned to receive either intra-operative passive movement or standard care. Twenty-four hours after surgery, median (IQR [range]) morphine consumption was 33 (11-42 [0-176]) mg in the passive movement group compared with 74 (15-118 [0-238]) mg with standard care (p = 0.126), while participants reported median (IQR [range]) visual analogue scores in areas distant from the surgical site of 0 (0-4 [0-34]) mm in the passive movement group compared with 10 (2-30 [0-57]) mm in those receiving standard care (p = 0.002). A full trial of intra-operative passive movement therapy to reduce postoperative is feasible and warranted.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)872-877
Number of pages6
JournalAnaesthesia
Volume69
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2014

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