Interventions
allodynia, Pain, hyperalgesia
All included patients were treated with autologous fat grafting to the thoracic paravertebral space with hyperalgesia and allodynia in related region. All procedures were performed by a skilled plastic surgeon. Before harvest, the region was injected by a tumescent solution (0.5% lidocaine + 0.0005% adrenaline). The fat was harvested by a syringe with low negative pressure (0.75–1.0 atmosphere) and blunt tip cannula (2.1–2.4 mm) through a stab incision on the abdomen or thigh. The harvested fat was sedimented for 10 min and then extra tumescent solution was decanted.After liposuction, patients were transited to the prone position. Then after sterilization, landmarks for HZ affected paravertebral space were identified under transversal ultrasound scanning. Using a 22‐G spinal needle, a total volume of 10–15 mL of harvested fat was injected at once. Epidural spread of the injection was certified by movement of the parietal pleura line under the ultrasound image.After the interventions, patients were monitored in the recovery room for 2 h. Pain score in 15 min and in next 3 days were assessed and recorded by an individual physician who was not aware of the study protocol.