Assessment of early post-operative pain following septorhinoplasty

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate pain incidence and intensity in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty, and to assess analgesic treatment effectiveness, in the first 7 days after surgery.

Design: Prospective outcomes analysis using visual analogue scale assessment of pain intensity in the first 7 post-operative days.

Subjects: Fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study, 29 women and 28 men, aged 18 to 51 years. All were treated for post-traumatic deformity of the external nose and/or nasal septum, with either septorhinoplasty or septoplasty.

Results: In the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, patients' mean visual analogue scale pain score exceeded the range denoting 'analgesic success', and showed considerable exacerbation in the evening. Patients' pain decreased to a mean score of 15.4 one hour after administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (metamizole).

Conclusion: Analgesia is recommended for all patients in the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, especially in the early evening.