Factors associated with acute postoperative pain in preschool children in a referral clinic in eastern Colombia

Abstract

Purpose Pain is one of the most difficult variables to quantify in the pediatric population, besides being the most determinant parameter of the length of stay in a post-anesthetic recovery room. The aim of this study is to characterize the most determinant variables in postoperative pain in our pediatric population. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in preschoolers and school children operated at Clínica Materno Infantil San Luis in Bucaramanga, between January and June 2018. Postoperative pain was evaluated and characterized using the LLANTO pain scale in addition to other related variables. Results Postoperative pain prevalence was 65.6%. Propofol and fentanyl were identified as protective factors to prevent postoperative pain with a RR of 0.55 and 0.44, respectively. The urology and laparotomy surgical groups were associated with less postoperative pain with a RR of 0.63 and 0.6, respectively. Conclusion Propofol and fentanyl use was identified as the most important protective factor for postoperative pain. In addition, there is a close relationship between anxiety and postoperative pain. According to the surgery type, it is suggested to use different adjusted anesthetic methods for each case.