Persistent postmastectomy
pain (
PPMP) syndrome is characterized by
neuropathic pain that develops following surgery in
breast cancer patients. The reported incidence of
PPMP ranges between 30% and 50% and is estimated to increase as the number of women surviving
cancer continues to rise. Though effective, today's
drug treatments are poorly tolerated, limiting their use and reducing adherence to
therapy. Since
neuropathic pain is localized, international guidelines suggest that topical treatment with 5%
Lidocaine medicated plaster either alone or combined with systemic drugs can be considered for
pain management. In this retrospective study we reviewed the medical records of 11 patients treated with 5%
lidocaine medicated plaster for moderate-to-severe
PPMP at our institute between November 2013 and October 2014. Analysis showed that treatment with 5%
Lidocaine medicated plaster, either alone or in combination with systemic drugs, achieved significant
pain control already after the first week of
therapy. The effectiveness and tolerability of 5%
Lidocaine medicated plaster we observed suggests that it is a viable option in the management of
PPMP.