Abstract

GALLEGO, J. I.; RODRIGUEZ DE LA TORRE, M. R.; VAZQUEZ-GUERRERO, J. C.  and  GIL, M.. Estimation of the prevalence and severity of postoperative pain and relation with patient satisfaction. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2004, vol.11, n.4, pp.35-40. ISSN 1134-8046.

The first line therapy for any type of pain aims to eliminate its cause, although this is not always possible, obviously. Furthermore, pain is sometimes so severe that requires to take fast and effective analgesic measures. Postoperative pain presents both characteristics: the need for a fast treatment and the impossibility to eliminate its cause. The aim of this study has been to assess the prevalence and severity of postoperative pain, as well as patient satisfaction with the medical and nursing staff; to quantify the time elapsed between the request of the analgesic drug and its administration, as perceived by the patient; and, finally, to ascertain the opinion of the patients regarding the effectiveness of analgesic drugs for postoperative pain. This was a descriptive study in which 388 patients undergoing elective surgery at the services of General Surgery, Traumatology, Gynecology, Vascular Surgery, ORL and Urology, were interviewed. Conclusion: According to this review, postoperative pain still represents a negative aspect of postoperative care and requires corrective action. The results suggest the need to design more appropriate analgesic protocols that take into account the needs of the patients and to optimize the interaction between the surgical services and the anesthesia service.

Keywords : Postoperative pain; Questionnaires; Quality assurance; Health care; Cross-sectional studies.

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