Assessment of early post-operative pain following septorhinoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate pain incidence and intensity in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty, and to assess analgesic treatment effectiveness, in the first 7 days after surgery.


METHODS
Prospective outcomes analysis using visual analogue scale assessment of pain intensity in the first 7 post-operative days.


METHODS
Fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study, 29 women and 28 men, aged 18 to 51 years. All were treated for post-traumatic deformity of the external nose and/or nasal septum, with either septorhinoplasty or septoplasty.


RESULTS
In the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, patients' mean visual analogue scale pain score exceeded the range denoting 'analgesic success', and showed considerable exacerbation in the evening. Patients' pain decreased to a mean score of 15.4 one hour after administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (metamizole).


CONCLUSIONS
Analgesia is recommended for all patients in the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, especially in the early evening.
Szychta
P
P
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Medical University of Łódź, Poland. szychta@yahoo.pl
Antoszewski
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004177:Dipyrone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004177:Dipyrone