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Evaluation of Postoperative Pain Control Following major Surgery at Mulago Hospital
Kiswez, A.K.; Masiira, N.M. & Mugisa, D.
Abstract
Background:
Postoperative pain following major surgery contributes greatly to
postoperative morbidity and anxiety. This makes postoperative pain control a factor, not
only in Africa but worldwide. Once postoperative pain is controlled adequately and
effectively, the patient’s general condition and satisfaction are improved considerably,
leading to early mobilization and shorter hospital stay. The main objective of the study was
to evaluate the methods and practices of postoperative pain management, following major
surgery in the department of Surgery at Mulago Hospital, with the aim of identifying the
gaps that contribute to unsatisfactory postoperative pain control and highlighting the need
for a pain management protocol.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study of the patients
undergoing laparotomy in the department of Surgery, over a 7-months period. Laparotomy
was chosen to represent a common form of major surgery. Every patient who was included
in the study was assessed and interviewed, at 6 hours and 24 hours postoperatively, using a
pre-tested questionnaire. The Numerical Visual Analog Scale (labeled 1-10) was the tool
used for pain assessment, for all the 132 patients in this study. The patients’ ages ranged
from 18 to 70 years. The study variables included pain severity, type of analgesic, dosage,
interval between doses, route of administration, while relating them to the operative
procedure. Data was collected using a pre-tested Questionnaire, and analyzed using the
SPSS version 10.0 software.
Results:
The prevalence of postoperative pain among the 132 study patients was 100%.
The commonest route of analgesics administration was by intramuscular injection, during
the first 24 hours postoperative period. Pethidine was used in 58% of the cases. By 24 hours
postoperatively 47% of the patients were on Diclofenac only. Whereas Pethidine offered
better postoperative pain control than Diclofenac ( P=0.012), a combination of the two gave
the best pain control. The mean pain scores for the different operative procedures were
within the same ranges, without significant differences. The majority (53%) of the
participants indicated that postoperative pain control was not satisfactory.
Conclusion:
Postoperative pain was not adequately controlled following major surgery.
There is need to review and improve the methods and practices of postoperative pain
management, especially in the first 24 hours.
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