Postoperative Pain, an Unmet Problem in Day or Overnight Italian Surgery Patients: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background. Because of economic reasons, day surgery rates have steadily increased in many countries and the trend is to perform around 70% of all surgical procedures as day surgery. Literature shows that postoperative pain treatment remains unfulfilled in several fields such as orthopedic and general surgery patients. In Italy, the day surgery program is not yet under governmental authority and is managed regionally by local practices. Aim. To investigate the trends in pain intensity and its relation to type of surgeries and pain therapy protocols, in postoperative patients, discharged from three different Ambulatory Surgeries located in North West Italy (Piedmont region). Method. The present study enrolled 276 patients who undergone different surgical procedures in ambulatory regimen. Patients recorded postoperative pain score twice a day, compliance with prescribed drugs, and pain related reasons for contacting the hospital. Monitoring lasted for 7 days. Results. At discharge, 72% of patients were under weak opioids, 12% interrupted the treatment due to side effects, 17% of patients required extra drugs, and 15% contacted the hospital reporting pain problems. About 50% of patients experienced moderate pain during the first day after surgery. Results from our study show that most of the patients experienced avoidable pain after discharge.

Pain assessment in surgical patients in the South Bohemia region

“…Three-quarters of patients suffered moderate to severe postoperative pain. This is also confirmed by the conclusions of a prospective study published by Campagna et al (2016). In this study, the sample included 276 patients from three different surgical departments at hospitals in Piedmont, Italy, who had undergone surgery in an outpatient regimen.…”

The effects of a psycho‐educational intervention to improve pain management after day surgery: A randomised clinical trial

“…Pain is one of the most prevalent symptoms after day surgery, and recovery from orthopaedic surgery can be especially painful (Campagna et al, 2016; Fahmy et al, 2016; Nishimori et al, 2007). When evaluating the effects of a multimodal perioperative pain protocol in patients undergoing ambulatory shoulder surgery, patients treated by the protocol had lower worst pain intensity 24 h postoperatively compared with patients treated without the protocol.…”

Herbal medications for anxiety, depression, pain, nausea and vomiting related to preoperative surgical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

“…Generally, pain decreases over time but may persist for days or even months postoperatively 16. Postoperative pain may complicate recovery and delay discharge of patients as well 17…”