Pain Management of Amputation Wounds With AutoHypnosis

Amputation in vascular surgery mainly concerns the lower limb and is often linked to Obliterative Arterial Disease of the Lower Limbs. It indicates the impossibility or failure of revascularisation after an exhaustive assessment aimed at saving the limb. It is also performed to limit the spread of gangrene, an affection of the limb that can evolve into septicaemia. The principle is to amputate in a healthy and vascularised area to allow good healing of the amputation stump.

Amputations of one, several or all toes, called complete transmetatarsal amputations, may take several months to heal. Amputations require directed healing and, above all, monitoring of the underlying tissues of the amputated area by daily detersions and wiping performed by a nurse at home. The mechanical detersion of the wound necessary for the healing process and cell migration, as well as optimal deep meshing, facilitate the evolution of the healing process.

These treatments often cause pain, despite oral analgesics and local anaesthetics prior to the treatment.

For several years, studies have shown the benefits of hypnosis in modifying the perception of pain, particularly during treatment.

Studies have also shown that self-hypnosis allows a reduction in the intensity of pain.

The clinical experience of the vascular surgery department of the University Hospital of Rennes suggests that patients who use self-hypnosis during the daily dressing of their amputation experience the moment more serenely, increasing their comfort and decreasing their pain and anxiety.