Management of neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injury in adult patients: A report of 60 cases

An observational study including 60 patients with brachial plexus injury was carried out in order to evaluate the rate of chronic pain, to assess the incidence of neuropathies using the questionnaire DN4 and to record the management of pain in these patients. Chronic pain of neuropathic type according to the questionnaire DN4 was found in 95% of the patients. Although 75% of these cases were treated, only 37% of the patients were satisfied. All of these 37% who were relieved of intense pain (EVA < 4) or hyperalgic crisis had an appropriate treatment in the early stages. The proportion of cases considered refractory to an appropriate treatment was lower than 2%. An effort to inform the patients and the carets must be made to improve the management of these injuries. The fact that this pathology is rare must lead to a specialized opinion in order to improve pain management. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS.