Table 1 Data collection tools and corresponding outcomes

Visual analogue scale (VAS)

Chronic phase:

• Worst chest pain over the last week score (primary outcome)

• Average chest pain over the last week score

Acute phase:

• Worst chest pain over the last 24 h score

• Average chest pain over the last 24 h score

All 0–100 (higher = worse score)

Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire (BPI) [27]

Interference score

0–10 (higher = worse score)

Short Form McGill questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) [28]

• Continuous pain subscale score

• Intermittent pain subscale score

• Neuropathic pain subscale score

• Affective pain subscale score

• Overall score

All 0–10 (higher = worse score)

Generic health-related quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) [29]

• Index score

• Thermometer score

(− 0.59 = worst outcome, 1.0 = best outcome)

(0–100, higher = better)

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire (HADS) [30]

• Depression score

• Anxiety score

Both 0–21 (lower = better)

Likert Scale to assess satisfaction

• Satisfaction with pain therapy after surgery

• Satisfaction with care provided by hospital

Very dissatisfied/dissatisfied/satisfied/very satisfied