An experience of increased pain in patient with postherpetic neuralgia who had skin excision: A case report

Jung, Ki Tae; So, Keum Young; Kim, Sang Hun

Case Report

Spinal Pain

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2012;7(4):289-292.
Published online October 31, 2012.

An experience of increased pain in patient with postherpetic neuralgia who had skin excision: A case report

Ki Tae Jung, Keum Young So, Sang Hun Kim

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea. kyso@chosun.ac.kr

Abstract

Surgical excision or undermining of the affected skin in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) has been introduced as an optional treatment when other treatment failed to reduce the pain. Such peripheral operation is rarely performed due to its limited effects and invasiveness. There were few reports about long-term outcome regarding surgical excision of PHN skin. We had experienced a case of PHN patient, who underwent surgical excision 10 years ago and suffered with returned pain and severe allodynia. The pain subsided markedly after a treatment with intercostal nerve block and topical lidocaine patch.

Key Words: Allodynia, Minor surgical procedures, Neuralgia postherpetic, Skin