Post-sternotomy pain syndrome following cardiac surgery: case report

Abstract

Bruno Bordoni,1 Fabiola Marelli,2,3 Bruno Morabito,2,3 Beatrice Sacconi,4,5 Paolo Severino6 1Department of Cardiology, Foundation Don Carlo Gnocchi, IRCCS, Institute of Hospitalization and Care, S Maria Nascente, Milan, Italy; 2CRESO, School of Osteopathy Centre for Research and Studies, Castellanza, Italy; 3CRESO, School of Osteopathy Centre for Research and Studies, Falconara Marittima, Italy; 4Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomopathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; 5Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy; 6Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrology, Anesthesiology and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Abstract: Over 2 million people undergo sternotomy worldwide for heart surgery each year, and many develop post-sternotomy pain syndrome (PSPS) which persists in the anterior thorax. In some patients, PSPS lasts for many years or suddenly reappears a long time after the sternotomy. The exact etiology of PSPS is unknown. This article presents a case report of a patient with a diagnosis of PSPS (after cardiac surgery 4 years prior) for whom an osteopathic approach was used, which successfully eliminated the pain. In a previous study, we demonstrated that this osteopathic procedure could reduce sternal pain associated with a recent surgical wound. Further efforts are needed to understand the reasons for PSPS. In light of new scientific data, these osteopathic techniques could contribute to a multidisciplinary approach to solve the problem. Keywords: post-sternotomy pain syndrome, osteopathic, fascia, chronic pain, cardiac surgery

Keywords

• Post-sternotomy pain syndrome
• Osteopathic
• Fascia
• Chronic Pain
• Cardiac surgery.