Prevalence and risk factors for chronic pain following cesarean section: a prospective study

Ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block or transversus abdominis plane block for recovery after caesarean section: A randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Caesarean section is a widely performed surgical procedure that often results in moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. If left untreated, this pain can lead to short-term and long-term consequences. Transversalis fascia plane (TFP) block and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block are among the regional anaesthesia techniques employed for managing pain after a caesarean section.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the impact of these two blocks on the quality of recovery in patients undergoing elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

DESIGN

A single-centre, double-blind, randomised trial.

SETTINGS

Operating room, postanaesthesia recovery unit, and ward in a tertiary hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-three patients (ASA 2 to 3) were recruited. After exclusion, 79 patients were included in the final analysis: 40 in the TFP block group and 39 in the TAP block group.

INTERVENTIONS

After surgery, participants received either TFP block (20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine for each side) or TAP block (20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine for each side).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the difference in obstetric quality of recovery 11-Turkish (ObsQoR-11T) scores between groups. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, opioid consumption and incidence of opioid-related complications.

RESULTS

The mean ObsQoR-11T score was higher in the TFP block group compared with the TAP block group (97.13 ± 6.67 points vs. 87.10 ± 9.84 points, respectively; P  < 0.001). The pain scores in the TFP block group were slightly lower between postoperative 4 and 24 h. The mean total morphine consumption was 15.08 ± 2.21 mg in the TFP block group and 22.21 ± 3.04 mg in the TAP block group ( P  < 0.001). More patients required rescue analgesia between 4 and 8 h in the TAP block group [2.00 (5.00%) vs. 9.00 (23.08%), P  = 0.02]. No significant differences were observed between groups in terms of opioid-related side effects.

CONCLUSION

TFP block used for analgesic purposes yielded a better quality recovery period than TAP block and also reduced opioid consumption.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05999981).

VISUAL ABSTRACT

http://links.lww.com/EJA/B6 .

Efficacy and safety of ketamine wound infiltration for postoperative pain management: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis

Background

Postoperative pain has a huge impact on the patients, families, healthcare practitioners, and healthcare delivery. Pain management with opioid-based analgesics and blind techniques have certain limitations, and ultrasound-based regional analgesia necessitates resources and experience, but ketamine wound infiltration is innovative with few side effects. However, its effectiveness is still uncertain.

Methods

A thorough search was carried out across various databases including PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, and LILACS, with no limitations on date or language. Only randomized trials comparing the effectiveness of ketamine wound infiltration for managing postoperative pain were considered for inclusion. Two authors independently conducted data extraction, and the quality of evidence was assessed using GRADEpro software. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was utilized to ascertain the conclusiveness of the findings.

Results

The review showed that the first analgesic request was higher in the control group as compared to ketamine standard mean difference (SMD)=1.68 (95% CI: 0.95-2.41). The TSA revealed that the cumulative Z-curve crosses both alpha-spending boundaries and reaches the required information size threshold, revealing strong power for current evidence. However, the quality of evidence was moderate.

Conclusion

Despite available evidence, the provision of a firm conclusion is less optimal with current evidence as the included studies were unpowered with low to very low quality of evidence.

The role of expectations, subjective experience, and pain in the recovery from an elective and emergency caesarean section: A structural equation model

BACKGROUND

Rapid return to mobilisation and daily function is essential for recovery after an elective and emergency caesarean section, prevention of short- and long-term complications, and mothers' well-being. High pain levels may delay recovery. Considering the biopsychosocial model, recovery is additionally complex and comprises social and psychological aspects.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the relationships between preoperative expectations, perioperative subjective experience, postoperative pain levels, and postoperative interruption of functioning and recovery.

METHODS

Overall, 306 women completed a set of questionnaires on the fourth day after a caesarean section regarding their demographic information, levels of expectation matching the caesarean section and the perioperative subjective experience, and the pain levels and interruption to daily activities 24 hours postpartum.

RESULTS

Using a structural equation model, a gap between preoperative expectations and perioperative experience related to a poorer perioperative subjective experience was found. This was associated with higher postoperative pain levels that were directly and indirectly related to the interruption of various functions and activities during the initial 24 hours postpartum. The model explained 58% of the variance in postpartum functioning and had good goodness-of-fit (χ2 = 242.74, df = 112, χ2/df = 2.17, NFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.06). Additionally, pain levels were higher and daily activities were more severely impaired for women who had undergone emergency caesarean section compared to those who had undergone elective caesarean section.

CONCLUSION

The need for preoperative preparation and setting expectations, perioperative emotional support, continuous communication with the mother, and an efficient postoperative pain management was highlighted.

Exploring the Analgesic Efficacy and mechanisms of low-dose esketamine in pregnant women undergoing cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial

Background

Postoperative pain is a prevalent concern following a cesarean section. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of low-dose (0.1 mg/kg) esketamine on postoperative pain management in pregnant women undergoing cesarean sections, specifically in cases where both patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) were employed.

Methods

Pregnant women intending to undergo elective cesarean section were divided into four subgroups based on the intravenous administration of esketamine and the specific analgesia methods employed: E1 (0.1 mg/kg esketamine + PCEA), E2 (0.1 mg/kg esketamine + PCIA), C1 (saline + PCEA), and C2 (saline + PCIA). The primary outcome was the maximum pain score within 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the pressure pain threshold and tolerance at 30 min and 24 h postoperatively, along with the inflammation and adverse event index scores.

Results

A total of 118 pregnant women were assigned to the four groups: E1 (n = 29), E2 (n = 29), C1 (n = 30), and C2 (n = 30). Compared with those in the control groups (C1 + C2), the maximum postoperative pain scores within 24 h in the esketamine groups (E1 + E2) were significantly lower (4 [2-5] vs. 4 [4-6], P = 0.002), and the E1 group exhibited superior analgesic effects compared with other groups. No significant differences were observed in postoperative hyperalgesia or inflammation across the four groups. Notably, esketamine combined with PCIA increased the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (7 [25 %] vs. 0 [0 %]; P = 0.005).

Conclusion

The administration of low-dose (0.1 mg/kg) esketamine effectively alleviates pain following cesarean section, and the analgesic effect is notably enhanced in combination with PCEA. Importantly, these effects do not appear to be mediated through anti-inflammatory mechanisms or the inhibition of hyperalgesia.

Clinical trial registration number

NCT05414006.

Postoperative Cesarean Section Pain Management Using Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Intrathecal Morphine: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Compare and evaluate the effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block versus intrathecal morphine (ITM) on elective postcesarean section pain, opioid consumption, and related side effects.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A search for evidence was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane Collaboration Database, UpToDate, Health Source, and gray literature. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the study. The methodological quality of evidence assessment was conducted using the Risk of Bias and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. The meta-analysis used Review Manager (RevMan 5.4, The Cochrane Collaboration).

FINDINGS

A total of 11 RCTs involving 1,129 patients were analyzed. Compared to ITM, TAP has a similar effect on static (mean difference [MD]; 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.04 to 0.79; P = .08) and dynamic pain scores (MD, 0.43; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.92; P = .09) within the first 48 hours after surgery. Additionally, the TAP block had a lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (risk ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.66; P < .0001) and increased opioid consumption (MD, 6.78; 95% CI, 3.79 to 9.77; P < .00001). Overall, TAP block and ITM did not differ in the time to first to rescue analgesia, incidence of sedation, and pruritus.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence suggests that TAP blocks are equivalent to ITM in pain scores and more effective at lowering the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, yet ITM has been shown to be more effective in reducing postoperative opioid consumption.

REKOVER study protocol: a pRospective patient treatment rEgistry of tramadol and dexKetoprofen trometamol oral fixed-dose combination (SKUDEXA) in mOderate to seVere acutE pain in Real-world setting in Asia

INTRODUCTION

Satisfactory management of acute pain remains a major medical challenge despite the availability of multiple therapeutic options including the fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs. Tramadol and dexketoprofen trometamol (TRAM/DKP) 75/25 mg FDC was launched in 2018 in Asia and is widely used in the management of moderate to severe acute pain. There are limited data on its effectiveness and safety in Asian patients, and therefore, a need to better understand its usage patterns in clinical practice. We aim to understand the usage pattern of TRAM/DKP FDC, its effectiveness and tolerability in patients with moderate to severe acute pain in Asia.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

REKOVER is a phase-IV, multicountry, multicentre, prospective, real-world observational study. A total of 750 postsurgical and non-surgical patients (male and female, aged 18-80 years) will be recruited from 13 tertiary-care hospitals (15 sites) in Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia. All patients prescribed with TRAM/DKP FDC and willing to participate in the study will be enrolled. The recruitment duration for each site will be 6 months. The severity of pain will be collected using Numeric Pain Rating Scale through the treatment period from day 1 to day 5, while satisfaction with the treatment will be evaluated using Patient Global Evaluation Scale at the end of treatment. Any adverse event reported during the study duration will be recorded for safety analysis (up to day 6). The study data will be entered into the ClaimIt portal and mobile application (app) (ObvioHealth, USA). All the inpatient data will be entered into the portal by the study site and for outpatient it will be done by patients through an app.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by the local ethics committee from each study sites in Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia. Findings will be disseminated through local and global conference presentations, publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and continuing medical education.

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.

Functional recovery after cesarean delivery: a prospective cohort study in rural Rwanda

INTRODUCTION

Women who deliver via cesarean section (c-section) experience short- and long-term disability that may affect their physical health and their ability to function normally. While clinical complications are assessed, postpartum functional outcomes are not well understood from a patient's perspective or well-characterized by previous studies. In Rwanda, 11% of rural women deliver via c-section. This study explores the functional recovery of rural Rwandan women after c-section and assesses factors that predict poor functionality at postoperative day (POD) 30.

METHODS

Data were collected prospectively on POD 3, 11, and 30 from women delivering at Kirehe District Hospital between October 2019 and March 2020. Functionality was measured by self-reported overall health, energy level, mobility, self-care ability, and ability to perform usual activities; and each domain was rated on a 4-point likert scale, lower scores reflecting higher level of difficulties. Using the four functionality domains, we computed composite mean scores with a maximum score of 4.0 and we defined poor functionality as composite score of ≤ 2.0. We assessed functionality with descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 617 patients, 54.0%, 25.9%, and 26.8% reported poor functional status at POD3, POD11, and POD30, respectively. At POD30, the most self-reported poor functionality dimensions were poor or very poor overall health (48.1%), and inability to perform usual activities (15.6%). In the adjusted model, women whose surgery lasted 30-45 min had higher odds of poor functionality (aOR = 1.85, p = 0.01), as did women who experienced intraoperative complications (aOR = 4.12, 95% CI (1.09, 25.57), p = 0.037). High income patients had incrementally lower significant odds of poor physical functionality (aOR = 0.62 for every US$1 increase in monthly income, 95% CI (0.40, 0.96) p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

We found a high proportion of poor physical functionality 30 days post-c-section in this Rwandan cohort. Surgery lasting > 30 min and intra-operative complications were associated with poor functionality, whereas a reported higher income status was associated with lower odds of poor functionality. Functional status assessments, monitoring and support should be included in post-partum care for women who delivered via c-section. Effective risk mitigating intervention should be implemented to recover functionality after c-section, particularly among low-income women and those undergoing longer surgical procedures or those with intraoperative complications.

Evolution of postoperative care: marked reduction of opioid consumption when ERAC pathway added to wound soaker therapy for cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE

Achieving functional recovery after cesarean delivery is critical to a parturient's ability to care for herself and her newborn. Adequate pain control is vital, and without it, many other aspects of the recovery process may be delayed. Reducing opioid consumption without compromising analgesia is of paramount importance, and enhanced recovery pathways have generated considerable interest given their ability to facilitate this. Our group's process for reducing opioid consumption for cesarean delivery patients evolved over time. We first demonstrated that providing additional incisional pain control with continuous bupivacaine infusions through wound catheters, with the concurrent use of neuraxial morphine, reduced postoperative opioid use. Iterations of an enhanced recovery after cesarean (ERAC) delivery pathway were then implemented after the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology's consensus statement for ERAC was issued to eliminate variability in both hospital course and in the treatment of postoperative pain. In this retrospective cohort analysis, we sought to identify whether adding ERAC protocols to our existing combination of neuraxial morphine and wound soaker catheters further reduced opioid consumption after cesarean delivery.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis of cesarean deliveries from 2015 through 2020 was performed. Deliveries were divided by analgesic pathway into four time-periods - time-point 1 [January 2015-April 2016, previous standard of care (control, N = 61)]: neuraxial morphine in addition to as needed opioid and non-opioid analgesics; time-point 2 [May 2016-May 2019, introduction of wound soaker (wound-soaker, N = 40)]: continuous wound catheter infusions of local anesthetic, neuraxial morphine in addition to as needed opioid and non-opioid analgesics; time-point 3 [May 2019-December 2019, wound soaker + early ERAC pathway (early ERAC, N = 78)]: continuous wound catheter infusion of local anesthetic, neuraxial morphine, in addition to scheduled non-opioid analgesics (acetaminophen and ibuprofen) every 6 h, alternating in relation to one another so that one is given every 3 h; time-point 4 [January 2020-July 2020, wound soaker + late ERAC pathway (late ERAC, N = 57)]: continuous wound catheter infusion of local anesthetic, neuraxial morphine in addition to non-opioid analgesics scheduled together every 6 h (to facilitate periods of uninterrupted rest). Cumulative and average daily opioid use for postoperative days (POD) 1-4 were analyzed using ANOVA and a mixed effect model, respectively.

RESULTS

Average daily opioid consumption and total cumulative opioid consumption POD 1-4 (morphine milligram equivalents) for both early and late ERAC groups (23.9 ± 31.1 and 29.4 ± 35.1) were significantly reduced compared to control and wound soaker groups (185.1 ± 93.7 and 134.8 ± 77.1) (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The addition of ERAC protocols to our standardized multimodal analgesic regimen (local anesthetic wound infusion catheters and neuraxial morphine) for cesarean delivery significantly reduced postoperative opioid consumption.

Guideline No. 443a: Opioid Use Throughout Women's Lifespan: Fertility, Contraception, Chronic Pain, and Menopause

OBJECTIVE

To provide health care providers with the best evidence on opioid use and women's health. Areas of focus include general patterns of opioid use and safety of use; care of women who use opioids; stigma, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment; hormonal regulation; reproductive health, including contraception and fertility; sexual function; perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms; and chronic pelvic pain syndromes.

TARGET POPULATION

The target population includes all women currently using or contemplating using opioids.

OUTCOMES

Open, evidence-informed dialogue about opioid use will lead to improvements in patient care and overall health.

BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS

Exploring opioid use through a trauma-informed approach offers the health care provider and patient with an opportunity to build a strong, collaborative, and therapeutic alliance. This alliance empowers women to make informed choices about their own care. It also allows for the diagnosis and possible treatment of opioid use disorders. Use should not be stigmatized, as stigma leads to poor "partnered care" (i.e., the partnership between the patient and care provider). Therefore, health care providers and patients must understand the potential role of opioids in women's health (both positive and negative) to ensure informed decision-making.

EVIDENCE

A literature search was designed and carried out in PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases from August 2018 until March 2023 using following MeSH terms and keywords (and variants): opioids, illicit drugs, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and aging.

VALIDATION METHODS

The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See online Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and weak recommendations).

INTENDED AUDIENCE

All health care providers who care for women.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Opioid use can affect female reproductive function; health care providers and patients must understand the potential role of opioids in women's health to ensure informed decision-making.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Use After Cesarean Delivery Under General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Cohort Study in 729 US Hospitals

BACKGROUND

Optimizing analgesia after cesarean delivery is essential to quality of patient recovery. The American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology recommend multimodal analgesia (MMA). However, little is known about clinical implementation of these guidelines after cesarean delivery under general anesthesia (GA). We performed this study to describe the use of MMA after cesarean delivery under GA in the United States and determine factors associated with use of MMA, variation in analgesia practice across hospitals, and trends in MMA use over time.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of women over 18 years who had a cesarean delivery under GA between 2008 and 2018 was conducted using the Premier Healthcare database (Premier Inc). The primary outcome was utilization of opioid-sparing MMA (osMMA), defined as receipt of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen with or without opioids and without the use of an opioid-combination drug. Any use of either agent within a combination preparation was not considered osMMA. The secondary outcome was use of optimal opioid-sparing MMA (OosMMA), defined as use of a local anesthetic technique such as truncal block or local anesthetic infiltration in addition to osMMA. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with use of osMMA, as well as variation across hospitals.

RESULTS

A total of 130,946 patients were included in analysis. osMMA regimens were used in 11,133 patients (8.5%). Use of osMMA increased from 2.0% in 2008 to 18.8% in 2018. Black race (7.9% vs 9.3%; odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval {CI}] 0.87 [0.81-0.94]) and Hispanic ethnicity (8.6% vs 10.0%; OR, 0.86 [0.79-0.950]) were associated with less receipt of osMMA compared to White and non-Hispanic counterparts. Medical comorbidities were generally not associated with receipt of osMMA, although patients with preeclampsia were less likely to receive osMMA (9.0%; OR, 0.91 [0.85-0.98]), while those with a history of drug abuse (12.5%; OR, 1.42 [1.27-1.58]) were more likely to receive osMMA. There was moderate interhospital variability in the use of osMMA (intraclass correlation coefficient = 38%). OosMMA was used in 2122 (1.6%) patients, and utilization increased from 0.8% in 2008 to 4.1% in 2018.

CONCLUSIONS

Variation in osMMA utilization was observed after cesarean delivery under GA in this cohort of US hospitals. While increasing trends in utilization of osMMA and OosMMA are encouraging, there is need for increased attention to postoperative analgesia practices after GA for cesarean delivery given low percentage of patients receiving osMMA and OosMMA.

Genetic risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain in children: A narrative review

Genetic risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain in adults have been established, but little is known whether the same associations exist in children. It is even less clear how much influence single nucleotide polymorphisms can exert on the phenotypic expression of chronic postsurgical pain in children in general. To this effect, a search was made for original articles which met the following criteria: evaluation of postsurgical pain in children with known genetic mutations or, conversely, evaluation of atypical pain trajectories of postsurgical children assessing for possible genetic mutations that may explain the phenotype. All titles and abstracts retrieved were reviewed for suitability for inclusion. The references of the selected articles were also checked for additional relevant papers. To assess the transparency and quality of the genetic studies both STrengthening the REporting of Genetic Association studies scores and Q-Genie scores were applied. Overall, there is a paucity of information regarding the link between genetic mutations and eventual chronic postsurgical pain development although there is some information on acute postoperative pain. Evidence has shown that the contribution of genetic risk factors to chronic postsurgical pain development appears to be minor, with its clinical relevance yet to be described. More advanced techniques in systems biology (proteomics, transcriptomics) suggest promising avenues for investigating the disease.

Transitional Pain Medicine; New Era, New Opportunities, and New Journey

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), also known as persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP), is pain that develops or increases in intensity after a surgical procedure and lasts more than 3 months. Transitional pain medicine is the medical field that focuses on understanding the mechanisms of CPSP and defining risk factors and developing preventive treatments. Unfortunately, one significant challenge is the risk of developing opioid use dependence. Multiple risk factors have been discovered, with the most common, and modifiable, being uncontrolled acute postoperative pain; preoperative anxiety and depression; and preoperative site pain, chronic pain, and opioid use.

A prospective study of chronic postsurgical pain in elderly patients: incidence, characteristics and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Due to the continued growth of surgical procedures in older adults and the significant impact of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), it is crucial to improve our understanding of the occurrence of CPSP as well as the appropriate prevention and treatment. We therefore conducted this study to determine the incidence, characteristics and risk factors of CPSP in elderly patients at both 3 and 6 months after surgery.

METHODS

Elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) undergoing elective surgery in our institution between April 2018 and March 2020 were prospectively enrolled in this study. Data on demographics, preoperative psychological well-being, intraoperative surgical and anesthesia management, and acute postoperative pain intensity were collected. At 3 and 6 months after surgery, patients received telephone interview and completed the questionnaires regarding chronic pain characteristics, analgesic consumption, and interference of the pain with activities of daily living (ADL).

RESULTS

A total of 1065 elderly patients were followed up for 6 postoperative months and included in final analysis. At 3 and 6 months after operation, the incidence of CPSP was 35.6% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 32.7 - 38.8%] and 21.5% (95% CI 19.0% - 23.9%), respectively. CPSP cause negative impacts on patient's ADL and most particularly on mood. Neuropathic features were found in 45.1% of the patients with CPSP at 3 months. At 6 months, 31.0% of those with CPSP reported that the pain had neuropathic features. Preoperative anxiety [3 months: Odds ratio (OR) 2.244, 95% CI 1.693 to 2.973; 6 months: OR 2.397, 95% CI 1.745 to 3.294], preoperative depression (3 months: OR 1.709, 95% CI 1.292 to 2.261; 6 months: OR 1.565, 95% CI 1.136-2.156), orthopedic surgery (3 months: OR 1.927, 95% CI 1.112 to 3.341; 6 months: OR 2.484, 95% CI 1.220 to 5.061), higher pain severity on movement within postoperative 24 h (3 months: OR 1.317, 95% CI 1.191 to 1.457; 6 months: OR 1.317, 95% CI 1.177 to 1.475) were associated with a higher risk for CPSP independently at both 3 and 6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

CPSP is a common postoperative complication in elderly surgical patients. Preoperative anxiety and depression, orthopedic surgery, and greater intensity of acute postoperative pain on movement are associated with an increased risk for CPSP. It should be kept in mind that developing psychological interventions to reduce anxiety and depression and optimizing the management of acute postoperative pain will be effective in reducing the development of CPSP in this population.

Maternal psychosocial factors associated with postpartum pain

BACKGROUND

The experience of pain is shaped by a host of psychological, cultural, and social factors. Although pain is the most common postpartum complaint, data on its relationship with psychosocial factors and postpartum pain are limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-reported postpartum pain scores and patient-level psychosocial factors, including relationship status, pregnancy intendedness, employment, education, and psychiatric diagnosis.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a secondary analysis of data from a prospective observational study of postpartum patients at 1 institution (May 2017 to July 2019) who used an oral opioid at least once during their postpartum hospitalization. Enrolled participants completed a survey, which included questions regarding their social situation (including relationship status), psychiatric diagnoses, and perceptions of their pain control during their postpartum hospitalization. The primary outcome was self-reported overall pain during the postpartum hospitalization (score of 0-100). Multivariable analyses accounted for age, body mass index, nulliparity, and mode of delivery.

RESULTS

In this cohort of 494 postpartum patients, most patients (84.0%) underwent cesarean delivery, and 41.3% of patients were nulliparous. In a pain score of 0 to 100, participants reported a median pain score of 47. On bivariable analyses, there was no significant difference in pain score between patients with and without an unplanned pregnancy or a psychiatric diagnosis. Patients who were unpartnered, those without a college education, and those who were unemployed reported significantly higher pain scores (57.5 vs 44.8 [P<.01], 52.6 vs 44.6 [P<.01], and 53.6 vs 44.6 [P<.01], respectively). In multivariable analyses, patients who were unpartnered and unemployed reported significantly higher adjusted pain scores than patients who were partnered and employed (adjusted beta coefficients: 7.93 [95% confidence interval, 2.29-13.57] vs 6.67 [95% confidence interval, 2.28-11.05]).

CONCLUSION

Psychosocial factors, such as relationship and employment statuses, which are indicators of social support, are associated with the experience of pain postpartum. These findings suggest that addressing social support, such as via enhanced support from the health care team, warrants exploration as a nonpharmacologic means of improving the postpartum pain experience.

The Association Between Long-Term Spicy-Food Consumption and the Incidence of Chronic Postsurgical Pain After Cesarean Delivery: An Observational Study

Background

Our previous study found that a long-term diet incorporating spicy foods can reduce the human basal pain threshold. Capsaicin is the pungent ingredient in chili peppers. Transient receptor potential vanilloid type1 is the capsaicin receptor expressed in the oral cavity and is the primary sensory neuron of the “pain” pathway. Few studies have examined the association between long-term spicy diet and chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). Women who underwent elective cesarean section (eCS) have consistent characteristics of CPSP. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between a long-term spicy diet and the incidence of CPSP after eCS.

Methods

Participants were divided into a low frequency group (LF, numerical rating scale (NRS)<5) for spicy food consumption and a high frequency group (HF, NRS≥5) by receiver operator characteristic analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of CPSP three months after eCS. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed between the two frequency groups. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was then performed.

Results

Of the 1029 enrolled patients, data from 982 were analyzed 3 months after eCS. After PSM, the incidence of CPSP in the HF group (30.1% [108/359]) was higher than that in the LF group (19.8% [71/359]; P = 0.001). Compared with the LF group, the risk of CPSP in the HF group increased 1.61 times by 3 months (95% CI 1.18–2.20, P = 0.003). PSM results found that 1 year, the incidence of CPSP in the HF group (15.2% [56/369]) was higher than that in the LF group (8.1% [30/369], P = 0.003).

Conclusion

With an NRS≥5 as a boundary, women who consumed spicy food ≥ 2 days/week were more likely to have CPSP than those who consumed spicy food < 2 days/week.

Efficacy and safety of wound infiltration modalities for postoperative pain management after cesarean section: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain after a cesarean section has negative consequences for the mother during the postoperative period. Over the years, various postoperative pain management strategies have been used following cesarean section. Opioid-based analgesics and landmark approaches have negative side effects, while ultrasound-based regional analgesia necessitates resources and experience, but various wound infiltration adjuvants are innovative with few side effects and are simple to use. The efficacy and safety of each adjuvant, however, are unknown and require further investigation.

OBJECTIVE

This network meta-analysis is intended to provide the most effective wound infiltration drugs for postoperative management after cesarean section.

METHOD

A comprehensive search will be conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, CINHAL, and LILACS without date and language restrictions. All randomized trials comparing the effectiveness of wound infiltration drugs for postoperative pain management after cesarean section will be included. Data extraction will be conducted independently by two authors. The quality of studies will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the overall quality of the evidence will be determined by GRADEpro software.

DISCUSSION

The rate of postoperative acute and chronic pain is very high which has a huge impact on the mother, family, healthcare practitioners, and healthcare delivery. It is a basic human right to give every patient with postoperative pain treatment that is realistic in terms of resources, technique, cost, and adverse event profile.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42021268774.

Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric Nerve Block for Acute and Chronic Pain Relief After Caesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

There is an increasing cesarean section (CS) rate in Egypt. Multiple methods are used to manage pain after CS.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the effect of ultrasound-guided bilateral ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block on pain reduction after CS.

Methods

We classified 64 cases of elective CS into two equal groups. The block group underwent the nerve block, and the control group did not. Postoperative pain, morphine consumption, time to analgesic request, and complications were compared between the two groups.

Results

No significant difference was detected between the two groups regarding patient characteristics or operation duration. However, pain scores during rest and movement were significantly lower in the block group than in controls, especially within the first 12 hours following the operation. Morphine consumption was significantly lower in the block group (4.53 ± 1.456) in group B vs. (8.87 ± 2.013) in group C with P-value < 0.001. Time to the first rescue analgesia was significantly longer in the intervention group than in the other group (12.25 vs. 3.81 hours). Pruritis and nausea incidence was significantly higher in controls than in the block group. The incidence of chronic postoperative pain was significantly lower in the block group.

Conclusions

The ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block is efficient and safe for managing postoperative pain following CS. It is associated with significant improvement of acute and chronic pain after such operations.

Incidence and risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a retrospective study

Background

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been widely used as an alternative for thoracotomy, but the reported incidence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) following VATS varied widely. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for CPSP after VATS.

Methods

We retrospectively collected preoperative demographic, anesthesiology, and surgical factors in a cohort of patients undergoing VATS between January 2018 and October 2020. Patients were interviewed via phone survey for pain intensity, and related medical treatment 3 months after VATS. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to explore independent risk factors associated with CPSP.

Results

2348 patients were included in our study. The incidence of CPSP after VATS were 43.99% (n = 1033 of 2348). Within those suffering CPSP, 14.71% (n = 152 of 1033) patients reported moderate or severe chronic pain. Only 15.23% (n = 23 of 152) patients with moderate to severe chronic pain sought active analgesic therapies. Age < 65 years (OR 1.278, 95% CI 1.057–1.546, P = 0.011), female (OR 1.597, 95% CI 1.344–1.898, P < 0.001), education level less than junior school (OR 1.295, 95% CI 1.090–1.538, P = 0.003), preoperative pain (OR 2.564, 95% CI 1.696–3.877, P < 0.001), consumption of rescue analgesia postoperative (OR 1.248, 95% CI 1.047–1.486, P = 0.013), consumption of sedative hypnotic postoperative (OR 2.035, 95% CI 1.159–3.574, P = 0.013), and history of postoperative wound infection (OR 5.949, 95% CI 3.153–11.223, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for CPSP development.

Conclusions

CPSP remains a challenge in clinic because half of patients may develop CPSP after VATS.

Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100045765), 2021/04/24

The Effects of Antepartum Depressive Symptoms on Postcesarean Opioid Consumption

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to test the hypothesis that higher Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores are associated with increased pain scores and opioid use during postpartum hospitalization following cesarean section.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort of English or Spanish-speaking women ≥18 years who had prenatal care for a singleton gestation and delivered by cesarean at ≥36 weeks within a tertiary center during 2017. Exclusions included women with fetal anomalies, intrauterine fetal demise, sickle cell disease, previously diagnosed pain disorders (e.g., chronic pain or fibromyalgia), substance use disorder (based on documented prescription or use of methadone or buprenorphine), or reoperation during hospital stay. Women without an EPDS recorded antenatally were also excluded. Major depressive symptoms (MDS) were defined as a documented antenatal EPDS ≥12. Women with and without MDS were compared, and multivariable linear regression models were generated to evaluate associations between MDS status and both pain scores and opioid use.

RESULTS

Of the 891 women meeting other inclusion criteria, 676 (76%) had documented antenatal EPDS scores, and 104 (15.4%) of those had MDS. Women with MDS were more likely to be use tobacco and have general anesthesia for cesarean delivery, but groups were otherwise similar. Women with MDS reported higher daily and average pain scores postpartum (2.4 vs. 1.7 average; p < 0.001). Women with MDS used more morphine milligram equivalents (MME) each day during their postpartum hospitalization, leading to a higher total MME use (121 mg [60.5-214.5] vs. 75 mg [28.5-133.5], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We found an association between antepartum depressive symptoms and acute pain after cesarean delivery leading to increased opioid use. Given the current focus on opioid stewardship, further research into this association, exploration of tailored pain control, and determining whether treatment of antepartum MDS reduces postpartum pain, and therefore opioid use, will be of the utmost priority.

KEY POINTS

· Women with MDS report higher pain scores postcesarean.. · Women with MDS use more opioids postcesarean.. · Future studies are needed for the treatment of MDS..

Ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block versus wound infiltration for both acute and chronic post-caesarean pain management – A randomised controlled trial

Background and Aims:

Ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block (USG-guided TFPB) has recently been evaluated for post-caesarean acute pain management. We compared it with standard wound infiltration for both acute and chronic post-caesarean pain management.

Methods:

All patients undergoing caesarean section (CS) under subarachnoid block were included and randomised. Patients in group C received standard wound infiltration (20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine) and group-T received bilateral USG-guided TFPB (20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine) at the end of the surgery. Acute pain assessed using numeric rating scale (NRS), time to first request of analgesia and total rescue analgesic consumption in 24 hours. The incidence of chronic persistent post-surgical pain (CPSP), neuropathic pain component and quality of life (QoL) were assessed. Fisher’s exact test, Chi-square test, unpaired Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used.

Results:

Sixty patients were included with 30 in each group. NRS score on rest at 6^th and 24^th hour and on active movement at 1^st hour was significantly decreased in group T. The “time to first request of analgesia” was statistically higher in group T, that is, 10.77 ± 1.39 h versus 6.30 ± 1.60 h. Five (16.6%) and two (6.6%) patients in groups C and T, respectively, required rescue analgesia in first 24 hours. 30% (n = 6) and 10% (n = 2) patients in groups C and T, respectively, developed CPSP. The neuropathic pain component was significantly reduced and QoL was significantly improved in group T.

Conclusion:

TFPB is efficacious for management of both acute and chronic post-caesarean pain management.

Association of Postpartum Pain Sensitivity and Postpartum Depression: A Prospective Observational Study

INTRODUCTION

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe psychiatric disorder that negatively affects postnatal mothers worldwide. The aim of the study is to investigate the association between postpartum pain sensitivity and PPD as well as to identify the other potential risk factors for PPD and their interconnections.

METHODS

The current study was a prospective observational clinical study that enrolled 210 singleton pregnant women in a tertiary referral hospital from January to December 2020. Postpartum pain sensitivity was assessed by the Mandarin Chinese version of the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ), and PSQ-C-total and PSQ-C-minor scores were collected. PPD was screened by self-reporting Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and EPDS total score was recorded. The association between postpartum pain sensitivity and PPD, as well as the risk factors and their interconnections, was analyzed by using a combination of stratified, bivariate, correlation, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, multivariate logistic regression, and path analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 87 of 210 mothers (41.4%) screened positive for PPD. A positive correlation between PSQ-C-total (r = 0.67) or PSQ-C-minor (r = 0.62) and EPDS scores was identified. PSQ-C-total [area under curve (AUC) 0.89, 95% CI 0.84-0.93; P < 0.0001] showed significantly higher diagnostic accuracy compared with PSQ-C-minor (AUC 0.85, 95% CI 0.80-0.90; P < 0.0001) in predicting EPDS scores ≥ 10 points. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that a high PSQ-C-total score [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.12, 95% CI 1.08-1.51; P < 0.001] and gestational diabetes (adjusted OR 2.68, 95% CI 0.96-7.47; P = 0.045) were independent risk factors, while breastfeeding (adjusted OR: 0.34, 95% CI 0.15-0.78; P = 0.007) and normal birth weight (adjusted OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05-0.61; P = 0.0047) were independently associated with decreasing adjusted ORs for EPDS scores ≥ 10 points. The path analysis model indicated that PSQ-C-total scores and gestational diabetes showed bidirectional effects, while birth weight and breastfeeding only had a direct impact on EPDS scores ≥ 10 points.

CONCLUSION

Increased postpartum pain sensitivity was closely associated with EPDS scores ≥ 10 points, and PSQ-C scores could be a reliable predictor. Moreover, gestational diabetes, low occurrence of breastfeeding, and low birth weight were the risk factors for EPDS scores ≥ 10 points.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR.org.cn identifier, ChiCTR-2000033091.

Prognostic prediction models for chronic postsurgical pain in adults: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) affects an estimated 10% to 50% of adults depending on the type of surgical procedure. Clinical prediction models can help clinicians target preventive strategies towards patients at high risk for CPSP. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to identify and describe existing prediction models for CPSP in adults. A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in March 2020 for English peer-reviewed studies that used data collected between 2000 and 2020. Studies that developed, validated, or updated a prediction model in adult patients who underwent any surgical procedure were included. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility; extracted data; and assessed risk of bias using the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. The search identified 2037 records; 28 articles were reviewed in full text. Fifteen studies reporting on 19 prediction models were included; all were at high risk of bias. Model discrimination, measured by the area under receiver operating curves or c-statistic, ranged from 0.690 to 0.816. The most common predictors identified in final prediction models included preoperative pain in the surgical area, preoperative pain in other areas, age, sex or gender, and acute postsurgical pain. Clinical prediction models may support prevention and management of CPSP, but existing models are at high risk of bias that affects their reliability to inform practice and generalizability to wider populations. Adherence to standardized guidelines for clinical prediction model development is necessary to derive a prediction model of value to clinicians.

Patient perceptive focus on recovery: An exploratory study on follow-up after major emergency abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

Optimal recovery can be defined as the adequate in-hospital length of stay with minimal postoperative complications and readmissions. The quality of recovery beyond the immediate postoperative period after major emergency abdominal surgery is yet to be fully described. We hypothesized that long-term measures of overall recovery were affected after surgery. The study aimed to investigate patient-focused recovery-related parameters 1 year after major emergency abdominal surgery.

METHOD

This is a prospective study including patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery at a Danish secondary referral center. Three questionnaires were answered regarding the recovery following the procedure; Activities Assessment Scale (AAS); Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15), and Self-complete Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS). All questionnaires were answered at postoperative days (PODs) 14, 30, 90, and 365.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients were included, and 68 were available for follow-up until 1 year after surgery. The response rates differed between the follow-up time points, with a response rate of 85% (n = 59) at POD30 and 50% (n = 36) at POD365. A decrease in the level of physical function following surgery was observed in 60% of the patients at POD14, which improved to 36% at POD365. Twenty-four patients (48%) reported postoperative pain at POD14, which declined to 9 (26%) at POD365. The maximum overall recovery was reached at POD30, which remained stable throughout the study period.

CONCLUSION

One in three patients reported physical functional impairment, and one in four patients reported pain 1 year after their surgical procedure.

Effect of Bilateral Quadratus Lumborum Block Type I on Patient Satisfaction and Incidence of Chronic Postsurgical Pain Following Cesarean Section-A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) provides a reduction in pain scores and opioid consumption after cesarean section (CS). Intrathecal morphine (ITM) is still considered as the gold standard of acute postoperative pain therapy, but it does have some significant side effects. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate whether performing the quadratus lumborum block type I in patients undergoing CS would be associated with an increased satisfaction of pain therapy and a decreased incidence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP).

METHODS

Sixty patients scheduled for elective CS were enrolled. All patients received spinal anesthesia and were randomly allocated to either the QLB group (received bilateral quadratus lumborum block type I with the use of 24 m mL 0.375% ropivacaine) or the control group (received no block). The level of satisfaction was evaluated using a three-step scale and the answers provided in a questionnaire regarding the patients' satisfaction with the method of postoperative pain treatment in the first 48 h. After a 6-month period, all patients were interviewed to evaluate the incidence and possible severity of CPSP.

RESULTS

Satisfaction scores were significantly lower in the QLB group than in the control group (p = 0.0000). There were no significant differences between the QLB and control groups regarding the occurrence of chronic postsurgical pain after 6 months following CS (p = 0.102). No statistical differences between the groups were recorded when we compared the results of the questionnaire after a period of 48 h from CS (the number of participants were limited in number).

CONCLUSIONS

QLB type I is an analgetic option that increased the satisfaction of parturients with pain therapy after CS compared to patients who did not receive the block, and there is a tendency for a lower incidence of CPSP.

Neuropathic component of postoperative pain for predicting post-caesarean chronic pain at three months. A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Recent investigations have showed that caesarean section (CS) might be a cause of chronic pain, with a consequent decrease in quality of life.

METHODS

Prospective observational study in a Spanish tertiary hospital. Main Outcome measure was to assess early neuropathic characteristics of pain (DN2 score ≥ 3) one week after CS as a potential risk factor for post-caesarean section chronic pain (PCSCP) at three months. Secondary outcome was to identify other risk factors. 610 consecutive consenting patients undergoing CS were interviewed preoperatively, at discharge from recovery room and 24h postoperatively. Telephone follow-up interviews were conducted one week, three months and twelve months following surgery.

RESULTS

We analysed 597 consecutive patients. The incidence of PCSCP at three and twelve postoperative months were 6.2% and 1% respectively. Subjects with NRS score superior to five on movement one week after CS presented higher incidence of PCSCP (NRS superior to five: 19 (52,2%); NRS equal or lower to five: 172 (30,9%); p=0,009). On multivariate analysis neuropathic pain one week after CS was associated with a higher risk of PCSCP (AOR: 1.63 (95% CI: 1.26-2.11; p<0.001). Other identified risk factors for PCSCP were: uterine exteriorization during CS (AOR: 3.89 (95% CI 1.25-12.10; p=0.019) and a lower gestational age (AOR: 0.87 (95% CI: 0.78-0.96; p=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of PCSCP at three and twelve postoperative months was low, 6.2% and 1% respectively. Early neuropathic characteristics of pain after one week measured by neuropathic pain questionnaire, consisting of two questions (DN2) ≥ 3/7 could be used to identify patients at risk for chronic post-surgical pain and develop preventive strategies.

Prevalence and predictors of chronic postsurgical pain after colorectal surgery: A prospective study

AIM

The aim was to investigate the incidence, characteristics and the potential predictors of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after colorectal surgery.

METHOD

Patients who underwent colorectal surgery at our institution from July 2014 to December 2016 were prospectively enrolled in this study. Perioperative potential demographic, clinical and psychological predictors for CPSP were collected. The follow-up visits were conducted through telephone interviews at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The interview questionnaire comprised items regarding pain intensity, frequency, site, analgesic administration and impact on activities of daily living.

RESULTS

A total of 624 patients completed the 6-month follow-up and were included in the analysis. CPSP was reported by 32.1% of these patients at 3 months and 21.8% at 6 months after colorectal surgery. The pain interfered with several activities of daily living in a considerable proportion of CPSP cases. At 3 months, the identified predictors of CPSP were young age, preoperative abdominal pain and pain elsewhere, preoperative anxiety and depression, longer duration of surgery, and high pain intensity on movement within 24 h after surgery. Predictors of CPSP at 6 months were young age, preoperative abdominal pain, preoperative anxiety, longer duration of surgery, and high pain intensity on movement within 24 h after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Chronic pain after colorectal surgery is a common complication associated with young age, preoperative abdominal pain and pain elsewhere, preoperative anxiety and depression, longer duration of surgery, and high pain intensity on movement within 24 h after surgery.

Perioperative factors associated with persistent post-surgical pain after hysterectomy, cesarean section, prostatectomy, and donor nephrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP) is a common, and often disabling postoperative morbidity, but many questions remain about factors associated with PPSP. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors associated with PPSP after gynecological surgeries, namely hysterectomy and cesarean section (C-section), and urological surgeries, namely prostatectomy and donor nephrectomy. Overall, 18 gynecological surgery studies, 4 prostatectomy studies, and 2 donor nephrectomy studies met the review criteria providing data that could be meta-analyzed. Average (±SD) PPSP occurrence after gynecological surgery was 20±11%; factors associated with increased risk of PPSP included smoking, preoperative abdominal or pelvic pain, preoperative pain elsewhere in the body, longer duration of surgery, more intense acute postoperative pain, and surgical wound infection. The use of neuraxial anesthesia was associated with decreased PPSP risk. Average PPSP occurrence was 20±9% after prostatectomy and 15±2% after donor nephrectomy. For urological procedures, the existing data did not allow for identification of significant factors associated with PPSP, except for laparoscopic and hand assisted laparoscopic approaches that were associated with lower incidence of PPSP for donor nephrectomy, and the use of neuraxial anesthesia which was associated with lower incidence of PPSP after prostatectomy. PPSP after gynecological and urological surgeries is common. This systematic review identified important factors associated with C-section and hysterectomy that can help identify women who are at high risk of PPSP. More high-quality studies with consistent methodology are needed to understand the factors associated with PPSP risk, particularly for surgeries such as prostatectomy and nephrectomy.

Analgesia After Cesarean Delivery in the United States 2008-2018: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Optimizing analgesia after cesarean delivery is a priority and requires balancing adequate pain relief with the risk of analgesics-associated adverse effects. Current recommendations are for use of a multimodal, opioid-sparing analgesic regimen that includes neuraxial morphine combined with scheduled nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and scheduled acetaminophen. Furthermore, recent studies recommend scheduled acetaminophen with as-needed opioids in lieu of acetaminophen-opioid combination drugs to reduce opioid consumption and optimize analgesia. However, the extent of utilization of this recommended regimen in the United States is unclear. We therefore performed this retrospective study to evaluate postoperative analgesic regimens utilized after cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia, examine variability across institutions, evaluate changes over time in postoperative analgesic practice, and examine factors associated with the use of neuraxial morphine and of multimodal analgesia.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was approved by the Duke University Institutional Review Board. Parturients who underwent cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia from 2008 to 2018 were included. Data were extracted from a nationwide inpatient administrative-financial database (Premier Inc, Charlotte, NC) and included parturient characteristics, comorbidities, hospital characteristics, and charges for administered medications. The primary outcome was the postoperative analgesic regimen utilized during hospitalization, including utilization of neuraxial morphine and of multimodal analgesia for postoperative pain control. We also examined the factors associated with the use of neuraxial morphine and of the multimodal regimen incorporating neuraxial morphine, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen.

RESULTS

Data from 804,752 parturients were analyzed. Of this cohort, 75.8% received neuraxial morphine, 93.2% received NSAIDs, 28.4% received acetaminophen, and 81.3% received acetaminophen-opioid combination drugs. Only 6.1% received the currently recommended regimen of neuraxial morphine with NSAIDs and acetaminophen, with this percentage increasing from 1.3% in 2008 to 15.0% in 2018. On the other hand, 58.9% received neuraxial morphine, NSAIDs, and an acetaminophen-opioid combination drug, with this regimen being utilized in 57.0% of cases in 2008 and 58.1% in 2018. The hospital in which the patient was treated accounted for 54.7% of the variation in receipt of neuraxial morphine and 41.2% in the variation in receipt of multimodal analgesia with neuraxial morphine, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen, with this variability in receipt of neuraxial morphine and of multimodal analgesia being largely independent of patient characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Relatively few parturients received the currently recommended multimodal analgesic regimen of neuraxial morphine with NSAIDs and acetaminophen after cesarean delivery. Additionally, the majority received acetaminophen-opioid combination drugs rather than plain acetaminophen. Further studies should investigate the implications for patient outcomes.

Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean: Current and Emerging Trends

Purpose of Review

What are the latest enhanced recovery elements for cesarean delivery?

Recent Findings

Enhanced recovery after cesarean delivery (ERAC) provides an evidenced-based system to improve maternal outcomes, functional recovery, maternal-infant bonding, and patient experience. Postsurgical recovery has evolved from a one-dimensional pain score to a holistic multidimensional approach emphasizing faster functional recovery. ERAC involves multidisciplinary efforts of the anesthesiologist, obstetrician, nursing, hospital, and patient. Components of ERAC include preoperative patient education, limited fasting, carbohydrate load, limiting opioids intra- and postoperatively, using scheduled non-opioid analgesics and supplementing with advanced therapies for women at higher risk for pain. ERAC protocols reduce opioid consumption, reduce length of stay, and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Summary

Implementing ERAC standardized care will likely be the most important change you can make in your practice to improve outcomes, improve quality care, help address racial disparities, and minimize opioid exposure and potential for addiction.

The Analgesic Effect of Different Concentrations of Epidural Ropivacaine Alone or Combined With Sufentanil in Patients After Cesarean Section

Background: Patients experience moderate-high intensity postoperative pain after cesarean section (CS). The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal concentrations of ropivacaine and sufentanil for use in controlling pain after CS. Methods: One hundred and seventy-four women undergoing elective CS were randomly allocated to four groups. Epidural analgesia was administered with 0.1% ropivacaine in the R₁ group, 0.15% ropivacaine in the R₂ group, a combination of 0.1% ropivacaine and 0.5 μg/ml of sufentanil in the R₁S group, and a combination of 0.15% ropivacaine and 0.5 μg/ml of sufentanil in the R₂S group (at a basal rate of 4 ml/h, bolus dose of 4 ml/20 min as needed). Pain scores (numerical rating scale [NRS]: 0-10 cm) at rest (NRS-R), during movement (NRS-M), and when massaging the uterus (NRS-U) were documented at 6 and 24 h. We also recorded patient satisfaction scores, time to first flatus, motor deficits, and adverse drug reactions. Results: NRS (NRS-R, NRS-M, NRS-U) scores in the R₂S group (2 [1-3], 4 [3-5], 6 [5-6], respectively) were lower than in the R₁ group (3 [3-4], 5 [4-6], 7 [6-8], respectively) (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively) at 6 h; and patient satisfaction (9 [8-10]) was improved compared to the R₁ group (8 [6-8]) (p < 0.01). The time to first flatus (18.7 ± 11.8 h) was reduced relative to the R₁ group (25.9 ± 12.0 h) (p < 0.05). The time to first ambulation was not delayed (p > 0.05). However, the incidence of pruritus (4 [9.3%]) was increased compared to the R₂ group (0 [0]) (p < 0.05) at 6 h, and the incidence of numbness (23 [53.5%], 23 [53.5%]) was increased compared to the R₁ group (10 [23.3%], 10 [23.3%]) (all p < 0.01) at both 6 and 24 h. Conclusions: Although we observed a higher incidence of pruritus and numbness, co-administration of 0.15% ropivacaine and 0.5 μg/ml of sufentanil administered epidurally optimized pain relief after CS, with treated subjects exhibiting lower NRS scores, shorter time to first flatus, and higher patient-satisfaction scores.

Women Construct Their Birth Narratives and Process Unplanned Cesarean Births Through Storytelling

OBJECTIVE

To examine birth narratives of primiparous women who experienced unplanned cesarean births to improve nursing care.

DESIGN

Descriptive, qualitative.

SETTING

The family/newborn units of a large teaching hospital in the Northeast United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Fourteen women who experienced unplanned cesarean births of singleton infants at term.

METHODS

We used semistructured interviews to analyze the participants' birth narratives. Within 48 hours of birth, participants answered the prompt: "Tell us your birth story." Four perinatal nurse experts in consultation with a qualitative research expert ordered, analyzed, and coded data into themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

We identified the following four themes: Changing Reality: Transition to Labor, Expectations Meeting Reality: Navigating the Unknown, Transition to Motherhood: The Cesarean Birth Experience, and Accepting the New Reality.

CONCLUSION

Childbearing women need time immediately after birth to process their experiences. Our findings highlight avenues for changes in clinical care to optimize women's experiences of unplanned cesarean births. Participants wanted clearer communication with the maternity care team, voices in the decision-making process, and inclusion of support persons to optimize their birth experiences. Because negative birth experiences affect maternal and child well-being, it is important to understand women's perceptions and develop strategies to assist them in the construction of their birth narratives.

A prospective observational study to investigate the relationship between local anesthetic infiltration pain before spinal anesthesia and acute and chronic postsurgical pain in women undergoing elective cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND

Cesarean delivery is one of the most common procedures performed worldwide. We conducted this prospective cohort study to evaluate the association between local anesthetic infiltration (LAI) pain prior to spinal anesthesia and pain and morphine consumption within 24 h after cesarean delivery (primary outcomes). A secondary objective was to assess the association between LAI pain and pain at one month postoperatively.

METHODS

Recruitment of 216 eligible women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery. Local infiltration before spinal anesthesia was performed using a 24-gauge needle and 3 mL 2% plain lidocaine. All subjects received 2.2 mL 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 200 µg morphine for spinal anesthesia. A 0-10 verbal numerical rating scale was used to assess LAI pain severity, and subsequent pain at 24 h, 1, 3 and 12 months.

RESULTS

We found a moderate correlation between LAI pain intensity and severity of acute pain at rest (rho=0.56, P <0.001) and with movement (rho=0.58, P <0.001) and a weak correlation with morphine consumption (rho=0.17, P=0.01) within 24 h postoperatively. We also found a positive correlation between LAI pain and the severity of persistent wound pain at rest (rho=0.30, P <0.001) and with movement (rho=0.52, P <0.001) at 1 month. The incidence of wound pain at 1, 3 and 12 months postoperatively was 37.1%, 7.0% and 1.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Pain from LAI prior to spinal anesthesia is significantly associated with subsequent postoperative pain both acutely and at one month in women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia.

Predicting the Transition to Chronic Pain 6 Months After an Emergency Department Visit for Acute Pain: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Acute pain can transition to chronic pain, a potentially debilitating illness.

OBJECTIVE

We determined how often acute pain transitions to chronic pain among patients in the emergency department (ED) and whether persistent pain 1 week after the ED visit was associated with chronic pain.

METHODS

An observational cohort study conducted in two EDs. We included adults with acute pain (≤10 days) if an oral opioid was prescribed. Exclusion criteria were recent opioid use and use of any analgesics regularly prior to onset of the pain. Research associates interviewed patients during the ED visit and 1 week and 6 months later. The primary outcome, chronic pain, was defined as pain on > 50% of days since ED discharge. We constructed logistic regression models to evaluate the association between persistent pain 1 week after an ED visit and chronic pain, while adjusting for demographic and treatment variables.

RESULTS

During a 9-month period, we approached 733 patients for participation and enrolled 484; 450 of 484 (93%) provided 1-week outcomes data and 410 of 484 (85%) provided 6-month outcomes data. One week after the ED visit, 348 of 453 (77%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 73-80%) patients reported pain in the affected area. New-onset chronic pain at 6 months was reported by 110 of 408 (27%; 95% CI 23-31%) patients. Presence of pain 1 week after ED visit was associated with chronic pain (odds ratio 3.6; 95% CI 1.6-8.5).

CONCLUSIONS

About one-quarter of ED patients with acute pain transition to chronic pain within 6 months. Persistence of pain 1 week after the ED visit can identify patients at risk of transition.

The incidence of chronic pain following Cesarean section and associated risk factors: A cohort of women followed up for three months

BACKGROUND

Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is one of the post-surgical complications of a Cesarean section. Despite the high rates of Cesarean section worldwide, the incidence of CPSP and the risk factors for this condition remain relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to calculate the incidence of CPSP in women submitted to Cesarean section and to analyze the associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective cohort of 621 women undergoing Cesarean section was recruited preoperatively. Potential presurgical (sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle-related characteristics) and post-surgical risk factors (the presence and intensity of pain) risk factors were analyzed. Pain was measured at 24 hours and 7, 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery. Following discharge from hospital, data were collected by telephone. The outcome measure was self-reported pain three months after a Cesarean section. The risk factors for chronic pain were analyzed using the log-binomial regression model (a generalized linear model).

RESULTS

A total of 462 women were successfully contacted 90 days following surgery. The incidence of CPSP was 25.5% (95%CI: 21.8-29.7). Risk factors included presurgical anxiety (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1.03; 95%CI: 1.01-1.05), smoking (adjusted RR 2.22; 95%CI: 1.27-3.88) and severe pain in the early postoperative period (adjusted RR 2.79; 95%CI: 1.29-6.00).

CONCLUSION

One in four women submitted to Cesarean section may develop CPSP; however, the risk factors identified here are modifiable and preventable. Preventive strategies directed towards controlling anxiety, reducing smoking during pregnancy and managing pain soon after hospital discharge are recommended.

Neuraxial labour analgesia is associated with a reduced risk of maternal depression at 2 years after childbirth: A multicentre, prospective, longitudinal study

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BACKGROUND

Severe labour pain is an important risk factor of postpartum depression, and early depression is associated with an increased risk of long-term depression; whereas the use of epidural analgesia during labour decreases the risk of postpartum depression.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether neuraxial labour analgesia was associated with a decreased risk of 2-year depression.

DESIGN

This was a multicentre, prospective, longitudinal study.

SETTING

The study was performed in Peking University First Hospital, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital and Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Beijing, China, between 1 August 2014 and 25 April 2017.

PATIENTS

Five hundred ninety-nine nulliparous women with single-term cephalic pregnancy preparing for vaginal delivery were enrolled.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Depressive symptoms were screened with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at delivery-room admission, 6-week postpartum and 2 years after childbirth. A score of 10 or higher was used as the threshold of depression. The primary endpoint was the presence of depression at 2 years after childbirth. The association between the use of neuraxial labour analgesia and the development of 2-year depression was analysed with a multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Five hundred and eight parturients completed 2-year follow-up. Of these, 368 (72.4%) received neuraxial analgesia during labour and 140 (27.6%) did not. The percentage with 2-year depression was lower in those with neuraxial labour analgesia than in those without (7.3 [27/368] vs. 13.6% [19/140]; P = 0.029). After correction for confounding factors, the use of neuraxial analgesia during labour was associated with a significantly decreased risk of 2-year depression (odds ratio 0.455, 95% confidence interval 0.230 to 0.898; P = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

For nulliparous women with single-term cephalic pregnancy planning for vaginal delivery, the use of neuraxial analgesia during labour was associated with a reduced risk of maternal depression at 2 years after childbirth.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.chictr.org.cn: ChiCTR-OCH-14004888 and ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02823418.

Acute postoperative pain is correlated with the early onset of postpartum depression after cesarean section: a retrospective cohort study

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the intensity of acute postoperative pain and development of postpartum depression (PPD) after cesarean section (CS). The secondary purpose was to investigate perioperative risk factors for PPD detected in the postoperative period after CS. We retrospectively reviewed 615 women who had undergone CS between January 2017 and October 2019 in our hospital. The incidence of PPD was 22.7% on postoperative day (POD) 5 in the 247 women whose numerical rating scale (NRS) scores on POD3 were available. The severity of acute postoperative pain evaluated by NRS was higher in women with than in those without PPD on POD3 (P < 0.02). The independent risk factors for the onset of PPD on POD5 were being a primipara [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-4.20, P < 0.05], preoperative presence of chronic pain (OR, 4.44; 95% CI 1.82-10.81, P < 0.001), and NRS ≥ 2 on POD3 (aOR, 4.90; 95% CI 1.06-22.61, P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that assessing both acute postoperative pain and presence of PPD can inform the introduction of interventions in the early phase to prevent development of PPD after CS.

Factors associated with persistent pain after childbirth: a narrative review

A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies that reported risk factors for persistent pain after childbirth. Many studies have sought to identify risk factors for post-delivery pain in different populations, using different methodologies and different outcome variables. Studies of several different but interrelated post-partum pain syndromes have been conducted. Factors strongly and specifically associated with persistent incisional scar pain after Caesarean delivery include a coexisting persistent pain problem in another part of the body and severe acute postoperative pain. For persistent vaginal and perineal pain, operative vaginal delivery and the magnitude of perineal trauma have been consistently linked. History of pregnancy-related and pre-pregnancy back pain and heavier body weight are robust risk factors for persistent back pain after pregnancy. Unfortunately, limitations, particularly small samples and lack of a priori sample size calculation designed to detect specific effect sizes for risk of persistent pain outcomes, preclude definitive conclusions about many other predictors and the strength of outcome associations. In future studies, assessments of specific phenotypes using a rigorous analysis with appropriate predetermined sample sizes and validated instruments are needed to allow elucidation of stronger and reliable associations. Interventional studies targeting the most robustly associated, modifiable risk factors, such as acute post-partum pain, may lead to solutions for the prevention and treatment of these common problems that impact a large population.

Managing opioid consumption after caesarean delivery: a quality improvement initiative

INTRODUCTION

Caesarean delivery is the most common major surgical procedure performed worldwide and pain management after caesarean delivery remains challenging. Finding a balance between sufficient postoperative pain relief and excess sedation secondary to opioids is often difficult in this patient population. This quality improvement project aimed to manage the amount of opioid consumption after caesarean delivery using a new postoperative analgesic regimen.

METHODS

The current practice was analysed in 52 patients before introducing the new regimen. Oxycodone consumption, pain scores and quality of recovery were recorded. Following this pre-implementation audit, a new postoperative analgesic protocol was introduced. All patients received standard doses of intrathecal morphine, paracetamol and diclofenac. Regular oxycodone sustained-release (SR) was replaced with oxycodone immediate-release (IR) as needed. These changes also coincided with education to improve midwifery assessment of pain and the delivery of analgesia.

RESULTS

The outcome measures were re-audited in 178 patients which showed that oxycodone consumption had reduced median (IQR) 30 mg (20-40) vs 10 mg (5-15) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the pain scores between the before and after groups at rest median (IQR) 2.0 (0-4.8) vs 2.0 (0.8-4.0) or at movement 5.0 (3.0-6.0) vs 5.0 (3.0-6.3) (p = 0.292, p = 0.482 respectively). The quality of recovery scores were also equivalent mean (SD) 78.6 (20.6) vs 77.8 (19.0) (p = 0.792).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that postoperative opioid consumption can be reduced with specific analgesic protocols and allow us to improve patient's quality of recovery.

Local and regional anaesthesia in dogs and cats: Overview of concepts and drugs (Part 1)

Pain management in veterinary patients is a crucial component of appropriate patient care. Multimodal analgesia that includes both systemically and locally/regionally administered drugs is generally the most effective approach to providing pain relief. Local anaesthetic drugs used in local and regional blockade are unique in that they can completely block the transmission of pain (in conscious patients) or nociceptive (in anaesthetized patients) signals, thereby providing profound analgesia. In addition, local and regional administration of drugs, when compared with systemic bolus administration, generally results in a lower incidence of dose‐related adverse effects. Due to the potential to provide profound analgesia and the high safety margin (when used correctly) of this drug class, local anaesthetics are recommended as part of the analgesic protocol in the majority of patients undergoing surgical procedures or suffering traumatic injuries. This manuscript, Part 1 of a two‐part instalment, emphasizes the importance of using local and regional anaesthesia as a component of multimodal analgesia, provides a review of the basic pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of local anaesthetic drugs in general, lists information on commonly used local anaesthetic drugs for local and regional blockade in dogs and cats, and briefly introduces the novel liposome‐encapsulated bupivacaine (NOCITA®). Part 2 is a review of local and regional anaesthetic techniques used in dogs and cats (Grubb & Lobprise, 2020).

No Differences in the Prevalence and Intensity of Chronic Postsurgical Pain Between Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Prospective Study

Objective

To compare the prevalence and characteristics of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) between laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) and abdominal hysterectomy (AH) groups 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, and to assess the impact of pain on the activities of daily living (ADL) of patients.

Methods

The demographic characteristics, intraoperative clinical factors, and postoperative pain score were collected prospectively in patients scheduled for elective LH or AH for benign disease at our institution from July 2014 to June 2015. Patients were interviewed by telephone and followed up for pain assessment 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The prevalence, intensity, and specific locations of pain, as well as analgesic administration and impact on the ADL, were included in the questionnaire.

Results

The results from 406 patients (225 patients in the LH group and 181 patients in the AH group) were obtained. Three months after surgery, the prevalence of CPSP was 20.9% in the LH group and 20.4% in the AH group. At 6 months, the prevalence of pain declined to 11.6% in the LH group and 9.4% in the AH group. At 12 months after surgery, only 13 (5.8%) patients in the LH group and 11 (6.1%) patients in the AH group complained about persistent pain. The prevalence of CPSP, as well as the average numerical rating scale pain scores at rest and during movement, during 12 months after surgery were not significantly different between the groups. CPSP after hysterectomy exhibited a negative impact on the ADL.

Conclusion

The prevalence and intensity of CPSP were not significantly different between patients undergoing LH or AH within 12 months after surgery. A tendency towards a reduction in chronic pain over time was documented. Chronic post-hysterectomy pain exhibited a negative impact on the ADL.