title: 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Torino, Via San Giacomo 2, Beinasco, 10092 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2722-1818
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campagna
authors.affiliation: General Surgery, Hospital Evangelico Valdese, Via Pellico 19, 10135 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Delfina
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Antonielli D'Oulx
authors.affiliation: General Surgery, Hospital Evangelico Valdese, Via Pellico 19, 10135 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosetta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paradiso
authors.affiliation: General Surgery, Hospital Ospedale Umberto I, Via Magellano N.1, 10128 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perretta
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Torino, Via San Giacomo 2, Beinasco, 10092 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7942-795X
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Re Viglietti
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Torino, Via Santena 5bis, 10126 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5835-5638
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berchialla
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5bis, 10126 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dimonte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000639:trends; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000639:trends; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies