engleski

Treatment of postoperative pain in anaesthesiology departments in Croatia.

Background and goal of study: The aim of this study was to define existing practice in postoperative pain treatment in anaesthesiology departments. Better insight into therapy practice and conceptions could serve as the base for unique directions forming in postoperative pain treatment in our hospitals. Materials and methods: In 1977, a four-page questionnaire was offered to anesthesiology departments (n=49). The questions referred to the methods of postoperative pain treatment, the organization of the therapy, follow-up and the control of success. Results and discussion: With the return of 57%, 28 questionnaires were available for study. The most eligible method of postoperative pain treatment for 50% of anaesthesiologists is intermitent parenteral application of analgesics. For 19% it is continuous i.v. opioid analgesia. Moreover, for 19% of anaesthesiologists, epidural analgesia (EDA) is acceptable. In 33% of responses the patient is not at all informed about potential postoperative pain, but 'occasionally' in 44% responses. In only 3.2% of responses, the quality of postoperative analgesia is routinely monitored using pain scores. The assessment is most often performed at intervals depending upon the type of surgery and the intensity of pain (nearly 50% of responses), or when the patient complains (32%). The obtained data are not registered by 85.7% of anaesthesiologists. Similarly, about 27% of Italian anaesthesiologists quote the use of VAS, NRS or VRS for the assessment of acute pain [1]. The most striking fact is that 45% of anaesthesiologists never measure pain in the postoperative period [1]. Shortage of time is stated in 50% of responses as the cause of insufficient postoperative pain treatment. Conclusions: Organisational problems limit improvements in the treatment of postoperative pain. Absence of pain measurements and documentation and pain treatment organization results in inadequate postoperative analgesia. The treatment of postoperative pain should be improved by adequate organizational measures, stimulation of cooperation and education of the staff.

Pain; postoperative pain; anaesthesiology

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