Incidence and associated factors of acute postoperative pain within the first 24 h in women undergoing cesarean delivery at a resource-limited setting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A prospective observational study

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Postoperative Acute Pain for Mothers Who Gave Birth With Cesarean Section: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Cesarean section frequently is associated with different undesirable postoperative outcomes. Acute postoperative pain is one of the most frequently experienced adverse outcomes that occurs as the result of actual tissue damage. Previous studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the prevalence and predictors of acute postoperative pain. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pooled prevalence and associated factors of postoperative pain after cesarean section.

METHODS

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis study that was performed on the basis of studies published within the last 10 years on the prevalence and associated factors of postoperative pain after cesarean section. After PubMed, Google Scholar, HINAR, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Cochrane, EMBASE, and gray literature extensive search for primary studies, their quality was assessed and data was extracted. STATAMP, version 17.0, was used for all possible analyses of the study.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of postoperative pain was 58% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48%, 67%) with heterogeneity (I2 99.33%). Incision length >10 centimeters (odds ratio [OR] 2.34 [95% CI 1.71, 2.97]); spinal anesthesia without adjuvant (OR 3.45 [95% CI 1.56, 5.33]); general type of anesthesia (OR 3.54 [95% CI 2.61, 4.48]); presence of preoperative anxiety (OR-1.73, 95% CI 1.12-2.35); and no peripheral nerve block (OR 3.23 [95% CI, 2.27-4.18]) were associated with the prevalence of postoperative pain significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The pooled prevalence of acute postoperative pain after cesarean section was high (58%), which needs more strategies for pain management. Incision length >10 centimeters, spinal anesthesia without adjuvants, general type of anesthesia, preoperative anxiety, and no peripheral nerve block were significantly associated with this prevalence.

Transversus Abdominis Plane Block versus Epidural Anesthesia for Pain Management Post-Caesarean Delivery: A Pilot Study

Background

Effective post-operative analgesia profoundly influences patient recovery and outcomes after caesarean delivery. The Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block represents a potential alternative, potentially offering greater effectiveness than epidural analgesia while causing fewer adverse effects.

Objective

To assess if the abdominal transverse block provides superior postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing caesarean delivery compared to epidural analgesia.

Methods

Participants were divided into parallel groups: an experimental group receiving TAP block (n=25) and a control group receiving epidural analgesia (n=24). All patients received a 10 mg dose of hyoscine at the end of the surgery. Experimental Group received a total of 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. In Epidural group received 0.2% ropivacaine at 4 mL/h for 24 hours. All participants were administered combined with neuroaxial block anesthesia. The patients selected for epidural analgesia received the mentioned dose, while the other group block had the epidural catheter removed after the cesarean section. The primary outcome was post-caesarean pain, evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at four intervals (0, 6, 12, and 24 hours). Also, surgical bleeding and residual motor were evaluated. VAS pain scores between the groups were compared using the Friedman test and Generalized Linear Model (GLM) for non-normally distributed data. The effect size was estimated with Eta Square ([Formula: see text]), considering values ≥0.38 as indicative of large effects. A two-tailed p-value < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.

Results

Statistically significant differences in pain scores were noted at 0 and 6 hours post-surgery (p<0.01). The TAP block group reported lower pain scores at 0 hours (mean=0.04) and 6 hours (mean=1.16) compared to the epidural group, reflecting a substantial effect size.

Conclusion

The TAP block proves advantageous in mitigating postoperative pain for women post-caesarean delivery, particularly in the initial 6 postpartum hours. This relief promotes early mother-infant bonding and facilitates breastfeeding.

Effect of Personality and Pain Catastrophizing on Postoperative Analgesia Following Cesarean Section: A Prospective Cohort Study

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different psychological personalities and pain catastrophizing levels on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing cesarean section.

Patients and Methods

Puerperas who underwent cesarean section at our hospital between January and August 2023 were recruited into the study and assessed using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Scale (EPQRSC) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Data on the numerical pain intensity at rest and during activity 24 h after surgery, number and dosage of analgesia pumps, and satisfaction with analgesia were recorded. According to the numerical pain score during activity 24 h post-operation, the patients were divided into the analgesia incomplete group (≥4) and control group (<4). Univariate analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, and binary logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the influence of personality characteristics and PCS on postoperative analgesia.

Results

A total of 778 women were included in the study. The incidence of inadequate analgesia was 89.8%. The satisfaction rate of analgesia was 66.8%. Univariate analysis showed that extraversion; neuroticism; PCS; numbers of previous cesarean delivery; ASA; analgesic satisfaction; and 24-h analgesia pump compressions and dosage were associated with postoperative analgesia after cesarean section (P<0.05). Using binary logistic regression analysis, the first cesarean section (odds ratio [OR]=0.056, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.913-19.174), the number of 24-h analgesic pump compressions (OR=8.464, 95% CI=0.356-0.604), extraversion (OR=0.667, 95% CI=0.513-0.866), neuroticism (OR=1.427, 95% CI=1.104-1.844), and PCS (OR=7.718, 95% CI=0.657-0.783) were factors affecting postoperative analgesia.

Conclusion

The incidence of inadequate analgesia after a cesarean section was high (89.8% on the first day after surgery). Formulating accurate analgesia programs for women undergoing cesarean section with extraversion, neuroticism personality characteristics, and pain catastrophizing behaviors is necessary for improving their postoperative analgesia effects and satisfaction and promoting postpartum comfort.

The Utility of CO2 Laser Treatment of Pelvic Symptoms in Women with Previous Perineal Trauma during Delivery

This study aimed to examine the impact of fractional CO2 laser treatment of pelvic symptoms in women who have undergone perineal trauma from vaginal delivery. It was a retrospective, monocentric analysis that encompassed all women assessed for pelvic discomfort or signs of vulvovaginal atrophy following vaginal delivery between 2013 and 2018. The severity of symptoms was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Twenty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria and were sorted into two groups: (1) women who had undergone episiotomies during labor (n = 11); and (2) women who had experienced spontaneous tears during vaginal delivery (n = 16). For women with episiotomies, each treatment and subsequent evaluation consistently showed a significant reduction in dyspareunia intensity. A similar positive trend was observed regarding pain at the introitus (7.5 vs. 6.5 after the first treatment, p = 0.03; 6.5 vs. 3 after the second treatment, p = 0.01; 3 vs. 1 after the third treatment, p = 0.01). Among women experiencing spontaneous perineal tears during delivery, there was a notable decrease in dyspareunia following all treatments (8 vs. 7 after the first treatment, p = 0.01; 8 vs. 4 after the second treatment, p = 0.02; 3 vs. 1 after the third treatment, p = 0.03). The impact of laser treatment did not exhibit significant differences between women who underwent episiotomies and those who experienced spontaneous perineal tears. In conclusion, fractional CO2 laser can be regarded as a non-pharmacological option for managing pelvic floor symptoms in women who encountered perineal trauma during delivery, independently from the nature, spontaneity, or iatrogenesis of the perineal laceration.

The effectiveness of erector spina plane, quadratus lumborum blocks, and intrathecal morphine for analgesia after cesarean: a randomized study

OBJECTIVE

This prospective randomized study was conducted at Ataturk University Medical Faculty Hospital, Department of Anesthesia and Reanimation, from June 2022 to May 2023. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block, quadratus lumborum block, and intrathecal morphine to decrease postoperative pain after cesarean section.

METHODS

Sixty-term pregnant women who were scheduled for elective cesarean sections with spinal anesthesia were included. Patients were randomly divided into three groups (n=20 for each group): Group 1: Patients were administered intrathecal morphine during spinal anesthesia; Group 2: Patients performed bilateral erector spinae plane block postoperatively; and Group 3: Patients performed bilateral quadratus lumborum block postoperatively. In the postpartum care unit, patients received intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia. The Patient-Controlled Analgesia devices were set to administer an intravenous bolus of 25 μg fentanyl, with a lockout interval of 10 min. Opioid consumption and maximum pain score in the 24 postoperative hours were recorded.

RESULTS

Patients in Group 1 had a longer time to first analgesic requirement compared to Group 2 (p=0.017). Opioid consumption and resting and moving visual analog score scores in the first 24 h postoperatively were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION

All three methods, including intrathecal morphine, erector spinae plane block, and quadratus lumborum block, are efficacious and comparable in providing postoperative analgesia after cesarean under spinal anesthesia.

Incidence and predictors of postoperative severe acute pain within 24 hours after cesarean section performed under spinal anesthesia at public hospitals in West Shoa, Ethiopia, 2022 prospective cohort study

Background

Acute postoperative pain is common after a caesarean section; the mother suffers severe pain in the first 24 h after the caesarean section compared to spontaneous birth. Failure to discover predictors of pain leads to maternal dissatisfaction, increased expenses, and restricted movement; it increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis, lengthens hospital stays, and decreases social intimacy.

Methods and materials

An institution-based prospective cohort study was conducted among 422 women who went to undergo caesarean sections under spinal anaesthesia at public hospitals in West Shoa from 30 July to 30 October. Participants were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected by a structured questionnaire, and the collected data were entered into SPSS version 20 and exported into STATA 64 for analysis. The results were presented in tables and figures. Risk factors were assessed by Poisson regression with a robust standard error.

Results

The overall incidence of severe postoperative pain after a caesarean section performed under spinal anaesthesia within 24 h of follow-up was 50.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 40.7, 60.1]. Preoperative anxiety risk ratio 1.7 (95% CI: 1.4-2.0), preoperative pain risk ratio 1.3 (95% CI: 1.0-1.48), type of incision risk ratio 11.3 (95% CI: 1.1-1.6), spinal anaesthesia without adjuvants risk ratio 4.1 (95% CI: 1.5-10.9), and duration of surgery risk ratio 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3-1.8) were found to be predictors for postoperative severe acute pain after caesarean section performed under spinal anaesthesia.

Conclusion

In this study, the overall incidence of severe acute pain after a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia was high. Preoperative fear, duration of the operation, preparatory pain, spinal anaesthesia without the use of adjuvants, and the type of incision were risk factors for severe acute postoperative pain after a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.