Pain location and intensity in patients after cardiac surgery

Background: Pain after the thoracic surgery is considered one of the most severe types of surgery-related pain. Although contemporary therapeutic methods facilitate effective alleviation of post-operative pain, numerous reports reveal insufficient pain relief in a considerable group of patients.

Aim of the study: The aim of this work was to assess pain intensity and location in patients after cardiac surgeries.

Material and methods: The study encompassed 60 patients (22 women, 38 men) aged between 28 and 82 years (mean 62.3 ±12.3). Pain intensity was assessed using an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). The impact of pain on rehabilitation and activities of daily living was assessed using a 4-point verbal rating scale (VRS). Assessments were carried out on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th postoperative day.

Results: The postoperative wound site was the most frequently reported pain location. It was characterised by the highest pain intensity, which decreased significantly over the subsequent postoperative days from 6.0 ±2.3 to 4.1 ±1.8 (p < 0.0001). The patients generally reported three pain sites. Unlike pain location, the mean number of pain sites did not change over the subsequent postoperative days. Women and obese patients reported more pain sites and higher pain intensity than men and patients with correct body mass or overweight (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). On the first three postoperative days, pain considerably limited motor and pulmonary rehabilitation as well as activities of daily living.

Conclusions: Pain intensity on the first postoperative days was quite high. Pain had a negative impact on patients’ rehabilitation and functioning.