Nerve Injuries in Aesthetic Breast Surgery: Systematic Review and Treatment Options

Abstract

3.

Chronic Pain Following Cosmetic Breast Surgery: A Comprehensive Review

“…In a study by von Sperling, investigators found that three-quarters of the patients experienced some sensory changes, with hypoesthesia as the most common neuropathic symptom in these patients [11]. In a larger systematic review of nerve injuries in breast augmentation by Ducic et al, investigators found that 13.57-15.44% of breast augmentation patients experienced some sensory changes, and around 9% of those patients experienced hypoesthesia [19]. Pain and hyperesthesia were the next most common neuropathic symptoms reported [19].…”

“…Commonly reported symptomology by patients include sensations of pins and needles, burning, and numbness [11]. In addition, patients may experience itching, tingling, or tenderness in surgical sites from nerve disruption or damage [11,19,20]. Dysesthesia, hypoesthesia, or hyperesthesia are also experienced by patients following breast surgery [19].…”

“…In addition, patients may experience itching, tingling, or tenderness in surgical sites from nerve disruption or damage [11,19,20]. Dysesthesia, hypoesthesia, or hyperesthesia are also experienced by patients following breast surgery [19]. In a study by von Sperling, investigators found that three-quarters of the patients experienced some sensory changes, with hypoesthesia as the most common neuropathic symptom in these patients [11].…”

“…In a larger systematic review of nerve injuries in breast augmentation by Ducic et al, investigators found that 13.57-15.44% of breast augmentation patients experienced some sensory changes, and around 9% of those patients experienced hypoesthesia [19]. Pain and hyperesthesia were the next most common neuropathic symptoms reported [19]. Specifically, patients mainly localized pain to the inframammary fold and nipple-areola complex following cosmetic breast surgery in the study by von Sperling et al [11].…”

“…Notably, patient symptoms also depend on the specific nerve injured during surgery. Some common nerves injured include intercostobrachial nn, intercostal nerves (T2-6), and long thoracic nerve [19]. Each of these nerves will produce a different constellation of symptoms, such as pain in the breast aggravated with arm movement in intercostobrachial injury, or winged scapula after a long thoracic nerve injury [19,21].…”