Findings from this study support a requirement for further
work to investigate the nature of neuropathic pain in the
immediate postoperative period. Research is required to
investigate the long-term outcomes regarding development
of neuropathic pain for patients with one or two neuropathic
pain signs according to the DN4 or a lower score when using
the LANSS immediately postoperatively. While Bennett
(2001) suggested that neuropathic screening tools such as the
DN4 and the LANSS used in the diagnosis of neuropathic
pain were not specifically designed for use in the early
postoperative period, it is accepted that these tools may
serve to identify potential patients with neuropathic pain
signs across a diverse clinical spectrum (Bennett et al, 2006).
For that reason the authors of this study advocate the use of
generic and consistent pain assessment that incorporates a
neuropathic pain screening tool.