Assessment of Postoperative Pain among Cesarean Section Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Prospective Observational Study
Background: Effective postoperative pain management is crucial for recovery and patient satisfaction following a cesarean section. However, pain management remains a challenge, especially in developing countries. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the severity of postoperative pain and describe management s...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Advanced Medical and Health Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijamr.ijamr_332_24 |
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| Summary: | Background:
Effective postoperative pain management is crucial for recovery and patient satisfaction following a cesarean section. However, pain management remains a challenge, especially in developing countries.
Aims:
We aimed to evaluate the severity of postoperative pain and describe management strategies among patients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods:
This prospective observational study was conducted from December 2020 to February 2021, involving 270 parturients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Eligible parturients were given spinal anesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 1.8 ml. At the end of the surgery, in the postoperative ward, the pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 0, 6, and 24 h. A record of all analgesics administered in the first 24 h of surgery was maintained, including the drug, dose, route of administration, time, and prescriber. Patient satisfaction was measured using a 2-point Likert scale. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare different drug groups. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses.
Results:
The median (interquartile range) pain scores measured at 0 h, 6 h, and 24 h were 3 (2–4), 3 (2–4), and 2 (2–3), respectively. The majority of patients experienced mild pain (VAS < 3) immediately after surgery, but 33.3% of patients reported moderate-to-severe pain at 6 h. By 24 h, 82.6% reported mild or no pain. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of participants were satisfied with their pain management. The most effective pain relief was achieved with combinations of morphine and ketorolac or paracetamol.
Conclusion:
Postcesarean section pain management was satisfactory when potent opioids were prescribed in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, factors such as parity, urgency of surgery, presence of comorbidities, and side effects should be considered while prescribing the analgesics. |
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| ISSN: | 2349-4220 2350-0298 |