Lack of relationship between epidermal denervation by capsaicin and incisional pain behaviours: A laser scanning confocal microscopy study in rats

ConclusionsSubcutaneous infiltration of capsaicin prior to surgical incision attenuated incision ‐induced pain behaviours and reduced epidermal innervation around the incision site. The long‐lasting epidermal denervation by capsaicin had no impact in the rate of wound healing and recovery from pain behaviours.SignificancePre ‐operative capsaicin infiltration attenuated spontaneous pain‐like behaviour and prevented the development of heat hyperalgesia following plantar skin incision. While capsaicin caused long‐lasting and widespread loss of epidermal and dermal nerve fibres, there was no measurable impact on the r ate of wound healing. Pre‐ or intra‐operative infiltration of capsaicin into surgical sites could act as a safe prophylactic for post‐operative pain and reduce the need for opioids during recovery.
Source: European Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research