[Evaluation of the postoperative acute pain after heart surgery]

Perception of pain in post-surgical patients in intensive care units

INTRODUCTION

Pain assessment and treatment are essential for ensuring quality of care as well as for improving patient's satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

1) To describe pain perception of surgical patients admitted to our Intensive Care Unit(ICU). 2) To compare the patients' pain perception with the assessment carried out by nurses. 3) To correlate International Pain Outcomes Questionnaire results with socio-demographical data.

METHODOLOGY

A prospective descriptive observational study was carried out in the ICU of a third level university hospital over a period of 3 months. Surgical patients' pain-perception was assessed 24hours after their admission to the ICU using the Spanish translation of International Pain Outcomes Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The highest pain score recorded among 109 patients by nurses was 4.47±2.75, while, the lowest was .69±1,25. However, the highest and lowest pain scores reported by patients were 5.59±2.72 and 2.13±2.03, which showed significant differences (P <0.001). The highest pain score seemed to be related to the type of surgery (P <0.027). There are significant variations in the lowest pain score depending on age (P=0.005 r=-0.270). Likewise, the worst pain score correlated with the patients' sex (P=0.004). Patients who reported that pain made them feel very anxious or helpless scored highest with the worst pain, 7.35±1.98, 7.44±1.85 respectively. These differences were statistically significant (P=0.001, P <0.001). Regarding to the score of less pain, there is an association with feeling anxiety (P=0.032) and not with feeling helpless (P=-0.088).

CONCLUSIONS

The post-surgical patients reported pain during the first 24hours following admission to ICU (max score 5.59±.26). The nurses underestimated the patients' reported pain. Improving nurses' education would provide them with assessment strategies for better pain management. Age, sex, anxiety and helplessness caused by pain, were variables that significantly influenced pain.

Pain locations in the postoperative period after cardiac surgery: Chronology of pain and response to treatment

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative pain after cardiac surgery (CS) can be generated at several foci besides the sternotomy.

METHODS

Prospective descriptive longitudinal study on the chronological evolution of pain in 11 sites after CS including consecutive patients submitted to elective CS through sternotomy. The primary endpoints were to establish the main origins of pain, and to describe its chronological evolution during the first postoperative week. Secondary endpoints were to describe pain characteristics in the sternotomy area and to correlate pain intensity with other variables. Numerical Pain Rating Scale from 0 to 10 at rest and at movement on postoperative days 1, 2, 4 and 6. Numerical Pain Rating Scale>3 was considered moderate pain. Statistical analysis consisted in Mann-Whitney U-test, a Chi-squared, a Fisher exact text and Pearson's correlations.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients were enrolled. In 4 of 11 locations pain was reported as Numerical Pain Rating Scale>3 (sternotomy, oropharynx, saphenectomy and musculoskeletal pain in the back and shoulders). Maximum intensity of pain on postoperative days 1 and 2 was reported in the sternotomy area, while on postoperative days 4 and 6 it was reported at the saphenectomy. Pain at rest and at movement differed considerably in the sternotomy, saphenectomy and oropharynx. Pain at back and shoulders and at central venous catheter entry were not influenced by movement. Pain in the sternotomy was mainly described as oppressive. Patients with arthrosis and younger patients presented higher intensity of pain (P=.004; P=.049, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Four locations were identified as the main sources of pain after CS: sternotomy, oropharynx, saphenectomy, and back and shoulders. Pain in different focuses presented differences in chronologic evolution and was differently influenced by movement.

Cuidado y manejo del dolor en el paciente en posoperatorio de revascularización miocárdica

<p>En la actualidad, se ha puesto de manifiesto la relación existente entre el dolor agudo posoperatorio y la aparición de múltiples complicaciones, que hacen necesario el manejo efectivo del dolor posquirúrgico por parte del profesional de enfermería. Objetivo: Generar una propuesta de cuidado de enfermería para el manejo del dolor en el paciente en posoperatorio de revascularización miocárdica, tras la extubación, con base en la Teoría de los Síntomas Desagradables. Metodología: A partir de la metodología del marco lógico, se socializó la importancia del manejo del dolor en el paciente en posoperatorio de revascularización miocárdica, así como la Teoría de los Síntomas Desagradables, al personal de enfermería que labora en una Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo de una Institución Prestadora de Servicios de Salud de IV Nivel en la ciudad de Bogotá. Se elaboró un formato de valoración para establecer los factores que determinaban el dolor, las características del síntoma dolor y las consecuencias del síntoma, para luego establecer la propuesta de cuidado de enfermería. Resultados: Se valoró la experiencia del dolor en nueve pacientes en posoperatorio de revascularización miocárdica, obteniendo como hallazgo que la presencia del dolor, principalmente, impedía la actividad física, la tos efectiva y el sueño, ocasionando un alto nivel de ansiedad, preocupación y cansancio. Con base en los hallazgos, se proponen ocho diagnósticos de enfermería, con sus respectivas actividades. Conclusión: La adecuada valoración y manejo del dolor postquirúrgico por parte del profesional de enfermería permite una recuperación adecuada, así como un aumento del bienestar y la comodidad en el paciente revascularizado.</p>