Chronic pain after surgery. More than just a nuisance? Chronic pain can complicate a third of even relatively minor surgical procedures with far-reaching consequences for patient and family. Why does it happen? What can be done to mitigate the problem? A seminar in three movements held jointly with the Glasgow Southern Medical Society: 'Magnitude' Dr William Macrae, Dundee 'Molecules' Dr Mick Serpell, Glasgow 'Meaning' Dr David Craig, Glasgow In this lecture, Dr Bill Macrae discusses the magnitude of the problem.