Targeted Breast Re-innervation (TBR) for Post-Mastectomy Pain

Chronic pain following mastectomy, a recognized entity with a reported incidence up to 60%, has a documented detrimental impact on quality of life.1 The treatments for chronic neuropathic pain have varied efficacy and typically require long-term pharmacologic therapy with their associated risks and costs.2 Recently, there has been an increased interest in the surgical treatment of certain pain conditions, most notably chronic phantom limb pain following amputation. The proposed surgical treatment, targeted muscle re-innervation (TMR), identifies cut sensory nerves and connects them to non-functional muscle motor nerves.

Source: Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery - July 16, 2019 Category: Cosmetic Surgery Authors: James Gatherwright, Rebecca Knackstedt Tags: Correspondence and Communications Source Type: research