Abstract: The Effect of Intraoperative Nerve Blocks on Patient-Centered Outcomes after Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction: A Prospective, Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

levels on the MPQ compared to TE/I patients two-years postoperatively, an important point to consider during preoperative counseling. The presence of preoperative pain was also a risk factor for CPSP. While multiple studies in recent years have focused on the widespread and underreported prevalence of post-mastectomy CPSP, only 10% of the sample had moderate-to-severe pain at two years. Therefore, approximately 90% were either pain-free or living with a level of pain that would not be expected to interfere with daily function. Overall, our data suggest that CPSP for this cohort may be of less clinical concern than previously described, and reports of persistent pain after breast reconstruction may not necessarily reflect surgery-induced pain.