Does Preoperative Hookwire Localization Influence Postoperative Acute and Chronic Pain After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate whether preoperative computerized tomography-guided hookwire localization-associated pain could affect acute and chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: We enrolled 161 adult patients who underwent elective VATS; sixty-nine patients experienced hookwire localization (Group A) and 69 did not (Group B). Group A was further subdivided into the multiple localization group (n=35, Group A(multiple)) and the single localization group (n=34, Group A(single)) according to the number of hookwires. The numerical rating scale (NRS) was used preoperatively, during recovery at the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and the first two days, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors associated with CPSP. The postoperative adverse events, length of hospital stay, and satisfaction in pain management were also recorded. RESULTS: The incidence and severity of acute postoperative pain were similar between Group A and Group B (p > 0.05). The incidence (56.5% vs 30.4%, p = 0.002) and the NRS scores (2.0 [2.0–3.0] vs 1.0 [1.0–2.0], p = 0.011) for CPSP were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B at 3 months postoperatively. On subgroup analysis, compared with Group A(single), the intensity of CPSP (2.0 [2.0–3.0] vs 2.0 [1.0–2.0], p = 0.005) in Group A(multiple) was slightly higher at 3 months postoperatively. Conversely, the CPSP incidence (60.0% vs 29.4%, p = 0.011) was significantly higher at 6 months postoperatively in Group A(multiple). The multivariate regression analysis further validated hookwire localization as a risk factor for CPSP (odds ratio: 6.199, 95% confidence interval 2.049–18.749, p = 0.001). Patient satisfaction relating to pain management at 3 months postoperatively was lower in Group A (p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: The preoperative pain stress of hookwire localization increased the incidence and intensity of CPSP rather than acute pain at 3 months postoperatively, especially in patients with multiple hookwires.