Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: Postoperative pain is caused by tissue damage as a consequence of the surgical
procedure that affects the performance of daily activities and contributes to persistent
postoperative pain. Despite the increased focus on pain management programs and the
development of new standards for pain assessment, postoperative pain remains a concern for
patients.
Objective: To determine and identify the incidence and associated factors of acute postoperative
pain after emergency abdominal surgery among adult patients at University of Gondar
Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia; 2020.
Methods: An Institutional based prospective follow-up study was conducted on 168 adult
patients from March 1 to May 30, 2020. Data was collected by interview and reviewing the
patients chart after taking consent. Numerical rating scale was used to evaluate incidence of
acute postoperative pain. Data was entered into Epi info software, version 7.2 and analyzed by
SPSS version 20. Logistic regression was applied to point out independent risk factors for postoperative acute pain. Variables with a P-value of < 0.05 were taken as significant.
Results: 165 patients were analyzed in the study. The overall incidence of acute postoperative
pain was 75.8 % [95% CI: (69.8%, 82.3%)]. On multivariable analysis, being female
[AOR=3.88; 95%CI: 1.22, 12.33], preoperative anxiety [AOR=3.67, 95%CI: 1.48, 9.12],
moderate to severe preoperative pain [AOR=5.69; 95%CI: 2.06, 15.7], and incision length
?10cms [AOR=4.86; 95%CI: 1.9, 12.4], were significantly associated with acute postoperative
pain after emergency abdominal surgery.
Conclusion and Recommendation: As per the results of this study, the incidence of acute
postoperative pain after emergency abdominal surgery remained high, about 75.8% of patients
are suffering from moderate to severe pain. Female sex, preoperative anxiety, preoperative pain
and incision length ?10 cm were significantly associated with acute postoperative pain.
Therefore, patients should be regularly assessed and counseled preoperatively by considering
females in need of special attent
